Microsoft will invest $18 billion in Australia over the next three years, upgrading government cyber-defence tools and supercomputers to be used for artificial intelligence, the company said on Thursday.
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said that it is the US-based firm’s largest-ever investment in Australia.
It follows a $3 billion investment that Microsoft announced in 2023 to build a string of data centers across Australia.
“Australia has an enormous opportunity to translate AI into real economic growth and societal benefit,” Nadella said while visiting Australia on a global tour touting Microsoft’s AI wares.
The investment would upgrade supercomputers that process massive data sets, driving the development of artificial intelligence.
Microsoft is also working with the Australian government to bolster its cybersecurity.
“We want to make sure all Australians benefit from AI,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“Microsoft’s long-term investment in our national capability will help deliver on that plan—strengthening our cyber defences and creating opportunities for Australian workers and businesses.”
Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic said this month it was sizing up data centre investments in Australia.
With immense renewable energy potential and vast stretches of unoccupied land, Australia has billed itself as a prime location for the power-hungry data centers needed to power AI.
