Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) said on Tuesday that t will invest $30B in the U.K. over the next four years as the tech giant looks to boost its artificial intelligence prowess.
“This marks the largest financial commitment we’ve ever made in the UK,” Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith wrote in a blog post. “It includes $15 billion in capital expenditures to build out the UK’s cloud and AI infrastructure. This investment will enable us to build the country’s largest supercomputer — with more than 23,000 advanced GPUs — in partnership with Nscale.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the investment will create new opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, while “ensuring America remains a trusted and reliable tech partner for the United Kingdom.”
“Microsoft’s landmark investment is a powerful vote of confidence in [the] U.K.’s leadership in AI and cutting-edge technology,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said following the announcement. “This commitment will not only strengthen our digital infrastructure and support thousands of highly skilled jobs, but also ensure Britain remains at the forefront of global innovation as we deliver on our Plan for Change. We are proud to partner with world-leading companies like Microsoft to build a future powered by British ingenuity and ambition.”
The announcement was made as part of President Trump’s state visit to the U.K. Separately on Tuesday, Google (GOOG) (GOOGL) announced the opening of its data center in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, as part of a two-year £5B investment in the UK.