Microsoft, the U.S. software behemoth, is set to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in Spain with a planned investment of $2.1 billion over the next two years, as announced by Brad Smith, the company’s Vice Chair and President, on the social media platform X. This decision follows Microsoft’s recent declaration of a 3.2 billion euros ($3.45 billion) investment in Germany, with a focus on AI, over the same two-year period.
The company’s new AI investment in Spain is designed to help public and private entities of all sizes digitally transform. It is part of a larger initiative that includes a new data center region and increased investments in AI research, development, and training.
One of the specific projects funded through the new investment is a new AI chatbot called Copilot, which uses machine learning to answer questions in natural language and learns over time from users’ interactions with it. It is available to customers using the Bing search and email experience. The chatbot also incorporates generative AI capabilities powered by the GPT-4 AI large language model and will be updated over time to include additional models. The chatbot will also use the NVIDIA DGX H100 AI supercomputers internally to train on new features and improve performance.
According to the release, Microsoft will also make it easier for customers to get started with their AI projects by enabling them to deploy AI models on their servers through Azure AI Build. This managed service will simplify and streamline the development of AI-powered applications. This will allow customers to reduce the time and complexity of creating and managing their own AI systems by allowing them to focus on what matters most—creating innovative business solutions with confidence.
Another of the initiatives that the investment will support is a new augmented reality and AI platform called Meta. Meta combines AR and AI to bring the best of both worlds to businesses. It enables companies to quickly create and deploy AR experiences that can be deployed anywhere, on any device, and in any environment. It allows for real-time, high-resolution rendering of 3D objects and environments, with the ability to change lighting, textures, and camera perspectives and add text, images, and other data. It can even be used to enhance videoconferencing calls with the added benefit of facial recognition and augmentation.
Despite the positives, the company has received criticism for its products and internal practices. The company has been accused of employing “permatemps,” or temporary employees who are never given benefits such as medical coverage, and of forcing its employees to work long hours to meet sales goals. The company has also been criticized for putting too much emphasis on its profit margins and for relying on forced retention tactics and other questionable practices that have led to employee burnout. Despite these concerns, the company’s investment in AI could help it stay ahead of its competitors as technology evolves.