Microsoft and Amazon to invest billions in France
Microsoft on Sunday announced €4 billion (RM20.4 billion) in investment for developing data centres in France, joining fellow US giant Amazon in committing to the country’s tech infrastructure.
The announcements came on the eve of the seventh Choose France Summit, the aim of which is to attract foreign investors to the country.
France President Emmanuel Macron will host it at the Chateau of Versailles near Paris.
Microsoft president Brad Smith told AFP the move to strengthen its artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure was the tech giant’s biggestever investment in France since its arrival 41 years ago.
France’s “longstanding commitment to carbon-free energy markets” and its status as a “critical leader” in Europe explained the decision, Smith said.
A new data centre will be created in eastern France, while existing sites in the Paris region and the southern city of Marseille will be expanded.
E-commerce behemoth Amazon will invest more than €1.2 billion in France, creating more than 3,000 jobs, Macron’s office said earlier on Sunday.
The money will help develop Amazon
Web Services’ cloud infrastructure, mainly generative artificial intelligence, and the logistical infrastructure of its parcel delivery service, a statement added.
Amazon has already announced the creation of 2,000 new jobs in France in 2024, which would bring its staff workforce in the country up to 24,000 by the end of the year, mainly in its logistics centres.
Amazon Web Services is a key subsidiary of the group, having made US$25 billion worldwide in the first quarter, capitalising on the growing appetite among businesses for remote computer and artificial intelligence services.