US technology company Microsoft has announced a A$25 billion (€14.6bn) investment in Australia, its largest-ever commitment to the country, with a significant portion dedicated to expanding workforce-ready AI skills training across the population, as reported by Edtech Innovation Hub.

The skilling commitment forms a central pillar of the announcement, with Microsoft pledging to train three million Australians with AI skills by 2028, tripling its previous target of one million people across Australia and New Zealand, which was completed ahead of schedule.

Two new education programmes launch as part of the commitment. Microsoft Elevate for Educators is a free programme designed to help teachers and school leaders build confidence in using AI responsibly in classroom and institutional settings. A separate partnership with youth platform Anyway, formerly Year13, will bring a free AI-powered Career Coach to up to 1,000 Australian schools.

Microsoft Elevate for Changemakers, also launching as part of the investment, targets nonprofit and social impact professionals, providing free AI readiness credentials and hands-on skills development opportunities.

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said the scale of the investment reflects Australia's potential to translate AI capability into broader economic and social outcomes. "We are making our largest investment in Australia to date, committing A$25 billion to expand AI and cloud capacity, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand access to digital skills across the country," he said.

Jane Livesey, president of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, said the focus remains on equitable access to AI capability. "Our focus is simple: building the trusted capability and ecosystem Australia needs to innovate confidently, compete globally, and ensure the benefits of AI are shared widely and equitably," she said.

Access the full details of Microsoft's Australia investment and skills programmes in the complete story.