Tech giant’s massive investment to fuel cloud infrastructure and create AI-ready workforce

In a move set to transform India’s technological landscape, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a staggering $3 billion investment in the country’s cloud and AI infrastructure during his keynote at the Microsoft AI Tour on Tuesday. The two-year commitment represents one of the largest foreign tech investments in India’s digital future.

The ambitious plan includes establishing new state-of-the-art data centers, with the first facility scheduled to launch in 2026. This expansion will provide crucial infrastructure support for India’s booming startup ecosystem and growing enterprise demand for AI solutions. “India is not just adapting to the AI era – it’s helping shape it,” Nadella told a packed audience of tech leaders and developers.

Alongside infrastructure development, Microsoft unveiled plans to train 10 million Indians in AI skills by 2030 through its ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative. The program has already exceeded expectations, having trained 2.4 million people – with 65% being women – in just under a year.

The investment also includes strategic partnerships with over 5,000 startups and aims to create 200,000 new tech jobs. Microsoft India President Puneet Chandok emphasized the transformative potential: “We’re taking AI from corporate boardrooms to college classrooms and rural communities.”

Industry experts hail the move as a game-changer for India’s digital economy. The announcement comes as the Modi government pushes its vision to establish India as a global tech leader by 2047. With the first wave of investments rolling out immediately, Microsoft’s commitment could accelerate India’s position in the global AI race.