Today: 29 October 2025
1 December 2023
1 min read

Microsoft to invest $3.2 bn in UK to drive future AI growth

Since then, the UK regulator waved through a restructured version of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, putting Britain back in Microsoft’s favour…reports Asian Lite News

Microsoft’s plan to pump 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) into Britain over the next three years, its single largest investment in the country to date, will underpin future growth in artificial intelligence (AI), the UK government said.

Britain, where the economy is forecast to be sluggish in the coming years, is pushing for private investment to help fund new infrastructure, particularly in growth industries like AI.

The funding, first announced at a summit hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday, will more than double Microsoft’s datacentre footprint in Britain, providing the infrastructure crucial for new AI models to work.

“Today’s announcement is a turning point for the future of AI infrastructure and development in the UK,” Sunak said in a statement on Thursday.

Microsoft’s plan comes despite comments by its president Brad Smith in April that a decision by the country’s antitrust regulator that went against the US company put the tech industry’s confidence in Britain at risk.

Since then, the UK regulator waved through a restructured version of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, putting Britain back in Microsoft’s favour.

“Microsoft is committed as a company to ensuring that the UK as a country has world-leading AI infrastructure,” Smith said in the statement released as he hosted finance minister Jeremy Hunt at a datacentre being constructed in north London.

As part of the deal announced on Thursday, Microsoft will bring more than 20,000 of the most advanced Graphics Processing Units to Britain, tech which is key to machine learning and developing AI, the government statement said.

The investment includes a training plan to help ensure Britons have the skills they need to build and work with AI, it added.

ALSO READ-Microsoft on OpenAI Board, Altman Takes Charge

Previous Story

RMT to end rail strikes after members accept pay deal

Next Story

Global Leaders Overlooking Early Climate Warnings: King Charles

Latest from -Top News

Gazans Struggle to Revive Life

Today, Gaza’s markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempt to arrange what remains of their goods on

GAZA AID: MSF raps Israel

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Israel Continues to Use Aid as a Weapon of War Against Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel

Qatar Emir Meets Trump

HH the Amir welcomed HE the US President and his accompanying delegation, expressing his pleasure at meeting the President during his stopover in Qatar…reports Asian Lite News HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim

Abu Dhabi leads future of food innovation

Global Food Week 2025 cements Abu Dhabi’s leadership in food innovation, uniting 75 countries to showcase sustainable agriculture, cutting-edge technologies, and women-led enterprises driving future food security….reports Asian Lite News Global Food

UAE reshapes AI council

The newly reconstituted Council will be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as Vice-Chairman….reports Asian Lite
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Microsoft Bets Big On AI

Microsoft said it will soon add access to OpenAI’s DALL-E

‘AI’s Rise to Boost Productivity and Drive Economic Growth’

The tech giant has around 26,000 workers so nearly 7,800