Microsoft has announced a significant $400 million investment in Switzerland, aimed at enhancing its local data center infrastructure and providing artificial intelligence (AI) training to 1 million people. The initiative also includes support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and a focus on promoting responsible AI governance.
Currently operating four data centers near Zurich and Geneva, Microsoft plans to upgrade these facilities with high-performance GPUs to meet rising demand from 50,000 existing customers. While Microsoft hasn’t disclosed specific hardware partners, Nvidia is widely speculated to be involved, given its dominance in AI-focused graphics processing.
Catrin Hinkel, Microsoft Switzerland’s CEO, emphasized the company’s long-standing relationship with the country and its commitment to enabling innovation that drives real-world impact. Microsoft’s figures show that 31% of its Swiss customers are already using AI tools, a modest rise over the past six months, and the nation ranks second globally in contributions to GitHub’s AI coding assistant.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, praised Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem, highlighting its blend of research and practical application. He noted that the investment aims to boost the country’s economic resilience while maintaining compliance with national regulations.
Beyond technology upgrades, Microsoft plans to support local startups through its Swiss AI Tech Accelerator and collaborate with Switzerland Innovation Parks to advance AI applications in various sectors. A new round of startups will be selected for the accelerator this autumn.
The investment also extends globally, as Microsoft partners with the United Nations and Geneva-based international organizations to promote AI solutions addressing global challenges, from cybersecurity for NGOs to skills development in emerging economies.