In a bold move to bridge the growing digital divide, Microsoft announced on Wednesday a massive $50 billion investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure across Global South nations by the end of this decade. The commitment, detailed in a blog post by Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and Chief Responsible AI Officer Natasha Crampton, aims to empower emerging economies with cutting-edge AI tools.
The disparity in AI adoption is stark: usage in the Global North is nearly double that of the Global South, a gap that’s widening rapidly. ‘This inequality not only hampers national and regional economic growth but also questions whether AI can fulfill its promise of global opportunity and prosperity,’ the executives wrote.
Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Smith drew parallels to historical inequalities in electricity access, warning that without urgent action, AI could deepen divides for the next century. Microsoft’s strategy includes expanding data centers, enhancing education, and fostering developer communities.
A key initiative is the ‘Elevate for Educators’ program in India, targeting over 2 million teachers in more than 200,000 schools, vocational institutes, and universities. Partnering with national education authorities, it will equip educators to lead in an AI-driven future, benefiting 8 million students with equal AI opportunities.
Last fiscal year alone, Microsoft poured over $8 billion into data center infrastructure serving the Global South, spanning India, Mexico, Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. India’s developer community on GitHub, the second-largest globally at 24 million, is growing at an explosive 36% annually, positioning the country as a AI powerhouse.
This investment underscores Microsoft’s vision for inclusive AI growth, ensuring the Global South isn’t left behind in the tech revolution. As economies digitize, such commitments could redefine global competitiveness and innovation landscapes.