Microsoft Canada president vows 'community-first approach' to AI investment
Tech giant announced $19-billion investment to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in Ontario and Quebec
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Microsoft said its billion-dollar investment to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure at Ontario and Quebec data centres will include a “community-first approach,” taking into account concerns from the local communities.
In Decemberthe tech giant had announced a $19-billion investment — the largest in Canadian history — to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure in the two provinces.
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In a blog post TuesdayMicrosoft Canada president Matt Milton said the company is aware that Canadians have “real questions” about affordabilityenergy and water usejobs and the impact on communities regarding its AI investment.
“At Microsoftwe believe communities should share in the benefits of AI infrastructure and they should not bear the costs,” Milton said.
Electricity costswater usage among concerns
He said the company’s five “community-first” principles will shape how it will build and operate its data centres in Ontario and Quebec.
Among those principles he outlined was the company’s commitment to “paying our way on electricity” to ensure that its data centres don’t increase electricity prices for Canadians and put added strain on the grid.
Milton said the company will work with provincesutilitiessystem operators and regulators to plan new supply in advance. He also said the company will pay the full cost of the electricity it usesincluding the cost of new generationtransmission and grid upgrades.
Milton also said that Canada’s cooler climate means the company can cool its data centres mostly using outside air“using water for cooling less than 5% of the year.”
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Thousands employed in construction process
He also said the company will work with local governmentsconservation partners and research institutions on water projects.
Milton said Microsoft’s data centre investment in Canada will employ about 2,000 workers across all sites during construction with 400 Canadian businesses involved during the construction phase.
He said once its data centres are built and operationalthe company will create 250 full-time jobs and hire about 400 contractors to maintain and operate its sites.
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