Microsoft reveals surprise plan to spend $80bn on AI data centers

• Microsoft aims to spend $80 billion on AI data centers in first half of 2025
• Half of the amount will be destined for the United States
• Upskilling citizens is recognized as crucial

Microsoft has revealed plans to invest $80 billion in AI data centers throughout the first half of 2025.

Vice Chair and President Brad Smith took to a New Year blog post to boldly state the US’s opportunity to “​​harness new technology to invigorate the nation’s economy” is the greatest it has been since the advent of electricity.

Speaking about AI’s power to “drive innovation and boost productivity” across all sectors, Smith confirmed Microsoft is on track to invest $80 billion throughout its fiscal year 2025, which ends on June 30, 2025.

Microsoft AI data center investment

The company’s data center investments include cash to help train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications ...