Microsoft has announced its plans to spend A$5bn (£2.6bn) on expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing abilities in Australia over the next two years.

The company has also pledged to collaborate with Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to boost domestic protection from cyber threats. The partnership was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the opening day of his state visit to the US. 

The pledge has been described as Microsoft’s largest-ever single investment in Australia. 

“This is our largest investment in Microsoft’s 40-year history in Australia and a testament to our commitment to the country’s growth and prosperity in the AI era,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president.

The company said it plans to use the funds to build nine new data centres in Australia, totalling 29 sites in the country, spread across Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. 

As part of its partnership with ASD, Microsoft will also build next-generation cyber security solutions to protect Australian residents, businesses and government entities from cyber threats, the company said, adding the collaboration will enhance “joint capability to identify, prevent and respond to cyber threats, which are growing in both frequency and severity”.

Microsoft stressed its focus will be on detecting, analysing and defending against sophisticated nation-state cyber threats.

The company also announced its plans to create a new academy to train Australian technicians and IT operations personnel and to support an additional 300,000 Australians who want to improve their technical skills.

“This is a major investment in the skills and workers of the future,” Albanese said. “We need to provide the skills to enable Australians to succeed in the jobs of the future.”

Last November the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)’s annual cyber threat report said it had received 76,000 cyber-crime reports the previous financial year, up 13 per cent from the previous period, resulting in costs of A$39,000 for a small business and A$62,000 for a large business.

The report described cyber space as “the domain of warfare”.

A month later, the Australian government launched a programme with the goal of turning Australia into the world’s “most cyber-secure country” by 2030.

Microsoft has announced its plans to spend A$5bn (£2.6bn) on expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing abilities in Australia over the next two years.

The company has also pledged to collaborate with Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to boost domestic protection from cyber threats. The partnership was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the opening day of his state visit to the US. 

The pledge has been described as Microsoft’s largest-ever single investment in Australia. 

“This is our largest investment in Microsoft’s 40-year history in Australia and a testament to our commitment to the country’s growth and prosperity in the AI era,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president.

The company said it plans to use the funds to build nine new data centres in Australia, totalling 29 sites in the country, spread across Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. 

As part of its partnership with ASD, Microsoft will also build next-generation cyber security solutions to protect Australian residents, businesses and government entities from cyber threats, the company said, adding the collaboration will enhance “joint capability to identify, prevent and respond to cyber threats, which are growing in both frequency and severity”.

Microsoft stressed its focus will be on detecting, analysing and defending against sophisticated nation-state cyber threats.

The company also announced its plans to create a new academy to train Australian technicians and IT operations personnel and to support an additional 300,000 Australians who want to improve their technical skills.

“This is a major investment in the skills and workers of the future,” Albanese said. “We need to provide the skills to enable Australians to succeed in the jobs of the future.”

Last November the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)’s annual cyber threat report said it had received 76,000 cyber-crime reports the previous financial year, up 13 per cent from the previous period, resulting in costs of A$39,000 for a small business and A$62,000 for a large business.

The report described cyber space as “the domain of warfare”.

A month later, the Australian government launched a programme with the goal of turning Australia into the world’s “most cyber-secure country” by 2030.