US tech giant Microsoft announced its commitment to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to promote the adoption of AI technologies in countries across the Global South. The company highlighted the disparity in AI usage between the Global North and South, emphasizing the need to bridge this gap for inclusive growth and opportunities worldwide.
Microsoft unveiled the launch of Elevate for Educators in India, aiming to enhance the skills of two million teachers in over 200,000 educational institutions. This initiative seeks to equip educators to lead confidently in an AI-driven future and provide equitable AI opportunities for eight million students in the country.
In a bid to drive AI impact, Microsoft outlined a comprehensive five-part program focusing on infrastructure development, skills empowerment, multicultural AI capabilities, local innovation support, and AI diffusion measurement. The company stressed the importance of partnerships across sectors to achieve success in advancing AI technologies and applications globally.
Microsoft’s efforts also include significant investments in data center infrastructure in the Global South, with a focus on regions like India, Mexico, Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The company aims to empower individuals with AI skills to enable them to explore diverse real-world applications and opportunities for growth and development.
