Microsoft today detailed a major expansion of its cloud and AI infrastructure across Europe, unveiling “new European digital commitments” at a Brussels gathering led by vice-president Brad Smith. The centerpiece is a 40 percent increase in computing power at its existing 200-plus data centers across 16 European countries over the next two years more than doubling total capacity between 2023 and 2027.
Smith framed the initiative as a “cyber crusade” to guard Europe’s digital resilience amid global instability, pledging that European customers can rely on Microsoft even “when geopolitical tensions run high.” He added that the company will help “strengthen Europe’s economic competitiveness” by building a broad AI and cloud ecosystem in partnership with governments, non-profits, local operators, and open-source developers.
To ensure digital sovereignty, Microsoft will launch “sovereign cloud” offerings in collaboration with local providers such as the Bleu joint venture with Capgemini and Orange in France, and a German public-sector platform with SAP and Arvato Systems hosted and operated under domestic control.
On data protection, Smith reiterated Microsoft’s commitment to “listen to European leaders, respect European values, and comply with European laws,” including the GDPR, competition rules, and the new Digital Markets Act. He announced the formation of an entirely European board of directors to oversee data-center operations, the appointment of a Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for Europe, and a pledge to legally contest any government order to suspend or cease cloud services in Europe.
Finally, Microsoft will engage an independent auditor to verify these commitments, further “building trust” with European regulators and customers. Together, these measures aim to fuse robust security guarantees with cutting-edge AI and cloud capacity, positioning Europe at the forefront of the next industrial leap in digital technology.
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