Microsoft plans to invest about $50 billion in artificial intelligence expansion across the Global South by the end of the decade, aiming to boost infrastructure, innovation, and technology access.

India remains the centerpiece of the plan, with emphasis on expanding Azure capacity, AI skills training, and local partnerships with enterprises and governments.

Last year, Microsoft committed $17.5 billion to AI investments in India, underscoring the country’s importance for data center growth and AI capacity.

Executives stress balancing rapid expansion with regulatory compliance and measurable economic impact across diverse markets.

Leaders warned that unequal access to AI could mirror the electricity divide unless urgent action is taken.

Critics call for strong data privacy, surveillance safeguards, and robust AI regulations addressed through trust, digital security, and sovereignty measures.

AI adoption remains uneven globally, with roughly 24.7% of adults in the Global North using generative AI versus 14.1% in the Global South, highlighting the goal of broader usability.

The timeline aims to hit the 2030 target, with updates affirming the plan is on track.

There is a shift toward localized AI infrastructure as governments seek greater data and digital capability control.

The strategy aims to bridge an AI divide but carries regulatory, geopolitical, and market-risk considerations for the Global South.

The Global South allocation is described as a total commitment without a country-by-country breakdown.

Local innovation initiatives include regional collaborations, such as Kenya satellite-data programs for food security and a Sub-Saharan Africa project co-designing agriculture-focused AI for mobile, multilingual use.