Key Highlights:
- Microsoft announces a massive $19 Billion CAD investment to boost Canada’s AI and cloud infrastructure through 2027.
- The company is strengthening cybersecurity and digital sovereignty with new data centers, Azure Local options, and a Threat Intelligence Hub in Ottawa.
- As part of the investment plan, Microsoft has trained over 546,000 Canadians in AI skills, with plans to certify 250,000 more and expand youth programs across rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
Microsoft has been actively investing in different countries to make them ready for what’s being called AI boom these days. The company has been an active investor in the UAE, where it is pouring money to train younger generation on new AI tools, opening AI hubs, and helping the nation to adopt AI in the best possible manner. Thanks to these efforts, the UAE topped the global AI adoption list, according to Microsoft’s AI Diffusion report.
Microsoft announces largest-ever investment in Canada to boost infrastructure
Now, Microsoft has turned its focus towards Canada, as it today announced a whopping $19 billion CAD investment to boost AI and cloud infrastructure. But the investment won’t just cover these areas. The company says it will also ensure to bolster cybersecurity space and AI skills among citizens. Not to forget, the investment has been underway since 2023 and will continue through 2027, with over $7.5 billion CAD allocated in the next two years. Notably, new datacenters are expected to come online in the second half of 2026.
As part of the deal, Microsoft has already employed 5300 Canadian citizens across 11 cities. Additionally, the company has partnered with over 17,000 Canadian businesses and supported nearly 426,000 jobs in Canada, which generated tens of billions in revenue annually. Microsoft says that this initiative stands on three key pillars, technology, trust, and talent.
Speaking of technology, Microsoft is expanding its Azure Canada East and Canada Central regions to deliver secure, sustainable cloud and AI services. The data centres will power automation across public services, finance, cleantech, and more. In order to protect digital sovereignty, the Redmond giant has announced a five-pivot plan. These include confidential computing, new Azure Local options, and the Sovereign AI Landing Zone (SAIL) for secure, locally hosted AI solutions. In addition, Microsoft has also set up a new Threat Intelligence Hub in Ottawa, which the company says will provide shield against cyberattacks, including state-backed threats and ransomware targeting key sectors like healthcare, finance, and government.
You may also like to read: Microsoft Commits $15.2B AI Investment in the UAE Through 2029
Training youths in AI skills
The adoption of new technology is entirely dependent upon people, which is why Microsoft is also investing in citizens of Canada. According to the company, its Elevate program has trained over 546,000 Canadians in AI skills since 2024. That’s not all; the company also plans to certify another 250,000 people by 2026. Not to forget, the company has also partnered with Actua and Indigenous communities to provide AI and STEM skills to nearly 20,000 youths. By doing this, Microsoft wants AI’s footprint to reach rural, remote, and Indigenous areas. Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair, says the plan is “the most significant commitment in Microsoft Canada’s history.”
