Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Attends Microsoft India Development Centre Groundbreaking in Noida

Key Takeaways

Groundbreaking ceremony for Microsoft’s India Development Centre in Noida.
Campus spans 15 acres with 1.1 million square feet of built-up area.
Focus on AI, cloud, and security innovation.
Commitment to train 500,000 individuals in AI-related skills.
AI Center of Excellence to promote rural innovation.

New Delhi, March 8 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Microsoft’s upcoming India Development Centre (IDC) campus located in Noida on Saturday.

This new campus in Noida, covering 15 acres and featuring a built-up area of 1.1 million square feet, is set to become a key centre for developments in AI, cloud computing, and security, thereby enhancing Microsoft IDC’s footprint in the nation.

According to a statement released by the company, the Noida campus will further bolster India's AI capabilities, nurture engineering talent, and foster digital innovation.

“The groundbreaking of our new Noida campus signifies Microsoft’s ongoing pledge to promote responsible AI innovation that benefits all communities, businesses, and individuals,” commented Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director and President of Microsoft IDC.

The forthcoming facility is expected to draw top talent from both India and abroad, empowering them to drive innovation in AI, cloud, and security, aiming for a positive influence on billions of lives globally.

“We sincerely value the support from the Uttar Pradesh government and the Noida Authority in realizing this vision, and we extend our gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for honoring us with his presence,” Kumar further stated.

This facility is designed to expedite digital transformation, enhance AI training opportunities, and solidify the “deep partnership with Uttar Pradesh, contributing to India’s ambition of becoming an AI-first nation.”

Microsoft IDC already maintains a significant presence in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Noida.

Notably, Microsoft IDC ranks as the largest R&D centre for the company outside of its headquarters in Redmond, USA.

Earlier this year, Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO, unveiled several AI partnerships in India, including a Memorandum of Understanding with the government’s ‘India AI Mission’ to train 500,000 individuals.

This MOU aims to enhance skills among students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs by 2026.

Additionally, they plan to set up an AI Center of Excellence, named ‘AI Catalysts’, to stimulate rural AI innovation and assist 100,000 AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building initiatives, and an AI marketplace.