Microsoft recently announced its largest single investment in Brazil, with plans to spend 14.7 billion Reais ($2.7 billion) in cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure over the next three years. This investment aims to foster the development of the AI ecosystem in Brazil, accelerating the country’s AI innovation.
Microsoft will also support the country’s long-term competitiveness with the program ConectAI, training 5 million people over the next three years with AI skills, creating long-term benefits for the Brazilian economy.
“We are committed to supporting Brazil’s AI transformation and ensuring it benefits everyone,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft.
Expansion across data center campuses
Microsoft will expand its cloud and AI infrastructure across several data center campuses in the state of São Paulo. Microsoft already has two Azure regions: Brazil South, based in São Paulo state and launched in 2014, and Brazil Southeast, based in Rio de Janeiro, launched in 2020.
“Our new investments in cloud and AI infrastructure and training in Brazil will help ensure broad access to both the technology and skills needed for Brazil’s people and economy to thrive in this AI era,” Nadella added.
Supporting developers and startups
To support the growing demand for cloud services and AI in Brazil, Microsoft has been investing in the Brazilian AI ecosystem, including developers and startups. Today, the GitHub developer community in Brazil includes more than 4.8 million people.
The country is the sixth-largest developer community contributing to generative AI projects. Microsoft is also supporting the local startup community by offering more than $9 million in Azure credits to around 3,300 local startups since July 2023 through the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.
Read: Microsoft to invest $1.3 billion in Mexico’s cloud, AI infrastructure
Equipping 5 million Brazilians with essential AI skills
Microsoft is launching ConectAI, a program that will provide AI skills training to five million people across Brazil in a bid to address the AI-driven shift in the workforce and ensure an equitable future by offering AI fluency at scale.
“We are empowering individuals, companies, and society to enhance innovation and democratize the use of AI through skills development, knowledge sharing, and access to cutting-edge technology and digital infrastructure, while also meeting our sustainability goals,” says Tania Cosentino, general manager of Microsoft Brazil.
The company is collaborating with 26 organizations, including governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits to achieve this goal. Microsoft also closed a new collaboration with SENAI São Paulo to offer AI fluency courses and training to the certification AI 900 to its students, teachers, and the community.
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