Tech titan Microsoft has committed $50 billion to supercharge AI development in the Global South through the end of the decade, a announcement made Wednesday amid rising concerns over technology access disparities. Vice Chair Brad Smith and Responsible AI chief Natasha Crampton outlined the ambitious plan in a detailed blog post.
AI adoption in the Global North dwarfs the South by nearly double, creating a rift that’s expanding and stifling economic development. The executives warned this could undermine AI’s role in fostering worldwide prosperity if left unchecked.
Smith, addressing the India AI Impact Summit, invoked century-old electricity inequities as a cautionary tale: without swift intervention, AI gaps will perpetuate divides into the next era.
In India, Microsoft launches ‘Elevate for Educators,’ a transformative program to train 2 million educators in over 200,000 institutions. Working with national training authorities, it ensures 8 million students gain equitable AI access, preparing them for an intelligent future.
Recent investments hit $8 billion in data centers for regions including India, Mexico, Africa, and beyond. Notably, India’s 24-million-strong GitHub developer base—the world’s second-largest—has surged 36% annually, marking it as the fastest-growing among major economies.
By bolstering infrastructure, skills, and communities, Microsoft’s pledge heralds a new chapter of inclusive tech progress, poised to level the playing field and drive sustainable growth across emerging markets.