Microsoft Corporation plans to inject approximately $2.9 billion into its artificial intelligence (AI) ventures in Japan over the next two years, according to a report by the Nikkei newspaper. This substantial investment will be announced during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the United States, as revealed by Microsoft President Brad Smith in an interview with Nikkei.
The initiative involves significant measures, including the installation of advanced AI semiconductors at two existing facilities in eastern and western Japan. Furthermore, Microsoft intends to launch an extensive reskilling program aimed at training three million workers in AI-related skills over a period of three years. Additionally, the company plans to establish a new research and development lab in Tokyo focused on robotics and AI.
In a separate report, Bloomberg disclosed that OpenAI, a company in which Microsoft invested $13 billion last year, is set to open a new office in Tokyo. OpenAI gained prominence with the introduction of the ChatGPT chatbot. This move highlights the broader trend of tech giants expanding their AI initiatives globally, with a particular focus on Japan’s vibrant technology landscape.
