Washington D.C., April 9 ET, 2024 – As we speak, Microsoft introduced it would make investments US$2.9 billion over the following two years to extend its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan. It’ll additionally broaden its digital skilling packages with the aim of offering AI skilling to greater than 3 million individuals over the following three years, open its first Microsoft Analysis Asia lab in Japan, and deepen its cybersecurity collaboration with the Authorities of Japan.
These investments goal to assist Japan’s key pillar to sort out deflation and stimulate the economic system by increasing the infrastructure, expert expertise, and safety required to speed up Japan’s digital transformation and adoption of AI. The announcement coincides with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s state go to to the US, the place he was joined by Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, and Microsoft Japan President Miki Tsusaka.
Increasing Japan’s AI and cloud infrastructure capability
The US$2.9 billion dedication is Microsoft’s single largest funding in its 46-year historical past in Japan, additionally the location of its first worldwide workplace. It successfully doubles the corporate’s current monetary dedication to broaden its AI and cloud infrastructure throughout Japan.
This vital enhancement in digital capability will allow Microsoft to supply extra superior computing assets in Japan, together with the most recent graphics processing models (GPUs), that are essential for rushing up AI workloads. It builds on Microsoft’s assist for the Generative AI Accelerator Problem (GENIAC), a program led by the Ministry of Financial system, Commerce and Business which helps modern startups and established enterprises develop basis fashions as a core expertise of generative AI in Japan.
Constructing Japan’s AI functionality by coaching 3 million individuals
Microsoft may also put money into coaching 3 million full-time and part-time staff throughout Japan over the following three years, giving them the talents they should construct and work with AI applied sciences. This funding can be delivered by packages centered on helping organizations and society at giant, together with girls generally and in addition with a deal with builders and college students.
Microsoft will broaden its Code; With out Obstacles program to Japan and supply devoted coaching for ladies seeking to take part in AI-enabled work. It’ll additionally present free and broadly accessible content material on AI, cybersecurity, and digital abilities in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Coaching and Analysis (UNITAR).
Nurturing superior AI professionals who can drive additional AI integration, Microsoft will provide programs and reference architectures for AI builders and expertise corporations in Japan. These can be augmented by Microsoft’s AI coding assistant, GitHub Copilot. The corporate may also assist startups with assets by the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub and assist implement AI-centric packages in vocational excessive colleges.
To advance the societal advantages provided by AI by corporations of all sizes, governments, and public entities – together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities – Microsoft will proceed with established packages that assist the widespread adoption and utility of AI instruments. Moreover, Microsoft offers assist in growing clients’ inner AI insurance policies, together with information administration and safety to make sure its accountable and protected use.
Opening Japan’s first Microsoft Analysis Asia lab in Tokyo
Microsoft Analysis Asia is extending its analysis management within the Asia-Pacific area with the opening of a lab in Tokyo.
The brand new lab could have a novel deal with areas together with embodied AI and robotics, societal AI and wellbeing, and scientific discovery that align with Japan’s socioeconomic priorities. Its institution displays Microsoft’s long-term dedication to Japan and its perception within the nation’s potential to guide the world in innovation.
Microsoft Analysis is a division of Microsoft that pursues daring concepts and technical breakthroughs in AI, whereas constructing on a legacy of foundational pc science advances. As its basic analysis arm within the Asia-Pacific area, Microsoft Analysis Asia has collaborated with Japanese academia for greater than 20 years which have been instrumental in propelling cross-disciplinary analysis and fostering expertise.
To foster enhanced analysis collaboration, Microsoft will present US$10 million useful resource grants over the following 5 years to each The College of Tokyo and to the Partnership on Synthetic Intelligence Analysis between Keio College and Carnegie Mellon College.
Partnering to strengthen Japan’s cybersecurity defenses
Microsoft will collaborate with Japan’s Cupboard Secretariat to strengthen cybersecurity resilience for the federal government, enterprise, and society, because the nation enhances its cybersecurity strategy below the federal government’s up to date Nationwide Safety Technique.
The collaboration will construct on the companies Microsoft offers to guard hundreds of Japanese organizations every single day. It’ll deal with areas corresponding to info sharing, expertise growth, and expertise options, with Microsoft to supply its experience and superior cloud and AI-driven safety companies as a part of joint efforts to sort out cybersecurity threats.
Management statements
Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan
“As financial actions within the digital house enhance, it’s important for the Japanese business as a complete to work with world corporations like Microsoft which are outfitted with a set of digital infrastructure. We admire Microsoft’s announcement of its new funding in Japan. Microsoft has made vital contributions to the social implementation of generative AI in Japan by numerous initiatives, and we stay up for additional collaboration. We additionally stay up for deepening our cooperation within the discipline of cybersecurity.”
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft
“As we speak’s announcement represents Microsoft’s most important funding in Japan since we set roots right here in 1978. These investments in digital infrastructure, AI abilities, cybersecurity, and AI analysis are important elements for Japan to construct a sturdy AI Financial system.”
Ken Saito, Minister of Financial system, Commerce and Business
“As digital investments enhance world wide, we welcome Microsoft’s announcement of recent funding in Japan and stay up for its future contribution to selling Japan’s digital industries, together with AI. Ministry of Financial system, Commerce and Business will proceed to work with Microsoft, a world chief within the digital discipline, to create each innovation and self-discipline.”
Takuya Hirai, Chairperson, Headquarters for the Promotion of a Digital Society, Coverage Analysis Council, Member of the Home of the Representatives
“The adoption of digital instruments is important for addressing Japan’s societal challenges of an ageing inhabitants and the pursuit of financial development and regional revitalization. Microsoft’s funding contributes considerably in advancing Japan’s AI capabilities, significantly in infrastructure and expertise growth. I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative and stay up for the management position Microsoft can play in selling collaboration between Japan and the US, in addition to throughout private and non-private sectors.”
Miki Tsusaka, President, Microsoft Japan
“We’re honored to contribute to Japan and its future with our largest funding to this point, expertise and data. In collaboration with our companions, Microsoft Japan is absolutely dedicated to supporting the individuals and organizations of Japan to unravel social issues and obtain extra.”
Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan
“The Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities and Microsoft entered right into a partnership final 12 months and have been empowering Japan’s workforce with digital abilities. As we speak’s announcement by Microsoft, which incorporates packages to encourage girls to embrace AI and supply AI skilling to 3 million individuals, is a big step for Japan to guide within the age of digitalization. The Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities pioneered using generative AI to make our places of work extra environment friendly and enhance the standard of companies supplied to our residents. We’ll proceed to embrace cutting-edge expertise and lead Japan’s digital transformation with unwavering dedication.”
Chisa Mikami, Head of Hiroshima Workplace, UNITAR
“By way of the collaboration between UNITAR and Microsoft, we are going to try to democratize entry to AI training, making certain that data is freely obtainable to all. Collectively, we pave the way in which for superior AI professionals, foster innovation in startups, and promote accountable AI practices throughout industries and sectors. With collective effort, we harness the transformative energy of AI for the betterment of society.”
Kevin Scott, Chief Expertise Officer and Government Vice President of AI, Microsoft
“The affect that AI is poised to create over the approaching years has the potential to generate unprecedented societal profit for your complete world. The steps we’re taking right this moment to empower Japanese residents by AI applied sciences and packages—whether or not job coaching and skilling, enhancements to infrastructure capability, or new analysis investments—will within the combination assist speed up this strategy of useful innovation. We’re significantly excited for Microsoft Analysis’s world footprint to additional broaden into Japan, extending the flexibility for our world-class analysis efforts to each contribute to and profit from native variety of thought and expertise.”
Teruo Fujii, President, The College of Tokyo
“The College of Tokyo is dedicated to contributing to the conclusion of a greater society by analysis and training centered on cutting-edge applied sciences corresponding to synthetic intelligence. To maximise the advantages of these applied sciences and promote innovation whereas minimizing dangers, it’s important to collaborate with companions who share our aims. With the institution of Microsoft Analysis Asia’s new lab in Tokyo, we enter an thrilling new section in our greater than 20 years of partnership with Microsoft. We stay up for working collectively to additional advance our analysis neighborhood and spearhead the event of excellent human assets as we proceed our journey collectively.”
