Microsoft announced a $3.3 billion investment in Wisconsin to build a data hub that will focus on training employees and manufacturers in artificial intelligence. President Joe Biden will visit the site in Mount Pleasant to emphasize the administration’s commitment to creating job opportunities in America. This initiative comes after a failed $10 billion investment by Foxconn in the same area promised 13,000 jobs that never materialized. Microsoft’s new center aims to create 2,300 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, with plans to train 100,000 workers in generative AI by 2030 through partnerships with organizations like United Way Wisconsin and United Way Racine.
Microsoft also intends to establish a lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to assist companies in integrating AI technology into their operations. Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During Biden’s visit, he plans to address the failure of the Foxconn project under the Trump administration and emphasize the positive impact of new investments. While Foxconn claims to have invested $1 billion in Wisconsin and increased employment by 42% since 2020, it still faces scrutiny for the unfulfilled promises of job creation.
President Biden’s visit to Wisconsin will showcase the achievements of his administration, including job growth facilitated by funding from legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the “Chips Act”, which supports semiconductor chip manufacturing in the U.S. The White House reported the addition of 177,000 jobs in Wisconsin since Biden took office, with 4,000 specifically in Racine. Biden has also taken steps to advance AI technology, signing executive orders to provide resources to entrepreneurs, support small businesses in commercializing AI breakthroughs, and promote AI research in fields such as healthcare and climate change. Additionally, a new order requires AI developers to share safety test results with the government before releasing their products to the public.
Microsoft’s investment in Wisconsin aligns with the government’s efforts to regulate the risks associated with artificial intelligence. Biden has called on Congress to pass legislation to regulate AI, including banning AI voice impersonation. He emphasizes the need to leverage the benefits of AI while safeguarding against potential risks to Americans. Beyond AI, Wisconsin is receiving substantial funding for infrastructure and clean energy projects through Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda. The state has received $6.9 billion towards futuristic industries, signaling a significant commitment to innovation and economic development.
