By Denny Jacob

--Microsoft will invest $2.9 billion in data centers in Japan by 2025 as Tokyo seeks more computing power for artificial intelligence, Nikkei reports in an interview with President Brad Smith.

--The tech giant will install advanced AI semiconductors at two existing sites in eastern and western Japan, according to the report. It also plans to announce an AI-related reskilling program in Japan to train three million workers over three years and to set up a new lab in Tokyo for research and development on robotics and AI, the report said.

--The new lab will be set up by Microsoft Research Asia, which will provide 1.5 billion yen ($9.9 million) to both the University of Tokyo and a partnership between Keio University and Carnegie Mellon University to fund research projects over the next five years, according to Nikkei.

--Microsoft will also partner with the Japanese government to strengthen cybersecurity resilience, according to the report.

Full story at https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Microsoft-to-invest-2.9bn-in-Japan-data-centers-amid-AI-boom

Write to Denny Jacob at denny.jacob@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-09-24 1134ET