Microsoft has introduced its intention to spend PLN 2.8 billion by June 2026 to increase its hyperscale cloud and synthetic intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Poland. The corporate may even collaborate with Polish Nationwide Protection to ascertain a framework to strengthen nationwide cybersecurity, as introduced on February 17.
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Increasing AI and Cloud Infrastructure
The funding will assist the growth of Microsoft’s current information heart campuses, bringing an increasing set of Azure providers to satisfy the demand of consumers within the area. Microsoft said that the funding is designed to speed up AI and cloud adoption, enhance financial competitiveness, and create jobs in Poland’s digital sector.
“That is an funding in our future, our safety, our youth, our startups, and our students,” mentioned Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland. “That is an funding that may present Poles, particularly the youthful era, with entry to probably the most trendy instruments and alternatives provided by the most effective on the planet.”
“Microsoft may even be conducting AI coaching in Poland. Instruments, cash, and investments are necessary, as is cooperation with our individuals and firms, however we are going to obtain the specified results additionally by profiting from coaching alternatives,” Tusk added, noting that progress on the Polish language mannequin Bielik goes effectively.
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Strengthening Nationwide Cybersecurity
Poland ranks third in Europe and ninth globally when it comes to publicity to cyberattacks by foreign-sponsored entities, in response to Microsoft’s Digital Protection report. With cybersecurity threats on the rise, together with issues over the safety of upcoming elections, Microsoft’s partnership with Polish Nationwide Protection will give attention to AI competencies and applied sciences comparable to cloud computing and quantum computing.
“Microsoft will companion with Polish Nationwide Protection to ascertain a framework to strengthen nationwide cybersecurity, together with working collectively on the event of AI competencies and the applying of Rising Disruptive applied sciences – cloud computing fashions, AI and quantum,” the official launch said.
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“Microsoft’s information heart funding is a vote of confidence in Poland’s management and financial system. Our objective is to convey probably the most superior AI infrastructure to each sector of the Polish financial system, strengthening the nation’s financial competitiveness,” mentioned Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft.
“Constructing on our preliminary billion-dollar funding to launch a Polish cloud area in 2023, I introduced that Microsoft will spend one other USD 700 million by the center of subsequent 12 months to increase our computing capability within the nation,” Smith said in a separate weblog put up on February 17.
“Throughout the previous 16 months, we’ve got introduced greater than USD 20 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure investments that signify an necessary a part of our information heart growth throughout 15 European international locations. At this time’s funding in Poland builds on the built-in provide chain we’re constructing with producers throughout the EU,” he continued.
“The American expertise sector is creating world-leading AI expertise and is targeted on being a trusted ‘companion of selection’ all over the world. And European coverage leaders are centered on mobilizing extra capital and growing productiveness by ‘closing the innovation hole.’ Even in a time of fragmenting geopolitics, at this time’s announcement illustrates that these two expertise ambitions are extra aligned than divergent,” Smith added.
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Help to Ukraine
He reiterated that Microsoft has supplied greater than USD 250 million of free expertise and monetary help to Ukraine to defend in opposition to Russian cyberattacks. Microsoft has already helped to talent 2.9 million Europeans and is on monitor to interact 8 million individuals by the tip of the 12 months.
“We readily acknowledge that European leaders typically fear about changing into overly depending on American expertise. We admire that such questions are each pure and legit. We take them severely and work arduous to deal with them, together with by understanding European values, supporting European wants, and adapting to European guidelines,” Smith highlighted.
Polish Information Heart Area
Since launching its Polish information heart area in April 2023—the primary in Central and Jap Europe—Microsoft mentioned it has seen sturdy demand for enterprise-grade cloud options. Prospects throughout varied industries in Poland, together with healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail, are already reaping the advantages of cloud expertise.
Based on Microsoft’s Work Pattern Index report 61 % of employees in Poland use generative synthetic intelligence each day. Practically 70 % of Polish leaders imagine that their firm must implement synthetic intelligence to stay aggressive.
Past direct employment and infrastructure growth, Microsoft mentioned it’s addressing workforce readiness. By the tip of 2025, the corporate goals to coach 1 million Polish professionals, together with lecturers, software program builders, and enterprise leaders, in AI and digital expertise. Already, 430,000 individuals in Poland have acquired coaching between 2020 and 2023.
Microsoft can be offering software program donations and discounted instruments to Polish academic establishments, nonprofits, and public organizations. Over the previous 12 months, these contributions have exceeded USD 80 million, enhancing entry to AI-powered options comparable to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and Studying Accelerators.
Dedication to Sustainability
Microsoft said that it’s prioritizing sustainability, with a objective to be carbon-negative, water-positive, and nil waste by 2030. The corporate is actively investing in renewable vitality, together with Energy Buy Agreements (PPAs) in Poland, to assist clear vitality growth.
“These commitments are testomony to Microsoft’s long-standing 32-year partnership with Poland, its organizations and residents to not solely spend money on cloud and AI infrastructure, but in addition within the broader eco-system to assist the event of Polish Digital Valley, and improve Poland’s competitiveness and resilience,” the corporate said.
