Google Invests Billions in Data Centers, AI Skills Development

Google is investing $3 billion to expand its data center locations in the U.S., including the creation of a new site in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The $2 billion project will be used to support the running of the company’s services and will also support Google’s AI training and inference efforts.

In addition to data center spending in Indiana, Google announced plans worth $1 billion to expand its three existing campuses in Virginia.

"We are excited to welcome Google to northeast Indiana," said Virginia Senator Todd Young. "Indiana continues to be a state where the most innovative companies in the world want to do business. Our efforts to invest in emerging technologies and actively prepare our workforce to be ready for these opportunities has created an environment for companies like Google to thrive, benefiting not only our local community but the entire country."

Google’s cloud rival AWS also announced plans to invest in data centers in Indiana, committing $11 billion to new data centers in St. Joseph County.

The expansion of Google’s Virginia sites brings Google’s total investment in the state to more than $4 billion.

“The information that we deliver to people around the world, through Google Search, YouTube, Maps and our many other products, is supported by our infrastructure,” Ruth Porat, Google’s chief financial officer wrote in a blog post. “Data centers keep our products and services running around the clock and around the world and power Google’s AI innovation.”

Related:Google Cloud Launches Arm-Based CPUs to Power AI Workloads

Google is expanding its data center sites globally as it scales its AI efforts. Among the expansions include the construction of a 33-acre site in the U.K. worth $1 billion.

Professional Development Program Expansions

Alongside its data center developments, Google is also expanding funding for projects to upskill workers.

The company announced the formation of a $75 million Google AI Opportunity Fund to provide AI skills training support for 1 million Americans.

The investment, which is being made through the company’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, will partner with nonprofits and education institutions to provide skills training at no cost.

Google is also launching courses to teach AI foundational skills that workers can employ in their daily lives.

The Google AI Essentials course is already being offered to Goodwill the Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

The search company is also teaming up with Citigroup and Miami Dade College to expand access to AI skilling programs.

“Together with our partners, Google brings a sustained commitment to developing talent who can benefit from and add to this growing digital economy,” Porat wrote. “Today’s grants and infrastructure investments will help those living in Virginia and Indiana, veterans and millions of others make the most of the opportunities of today and tomorrow.”

Related:Google Invests $1 Billion in UK Data Center to Power AI Workloads

Google’s philanthropic arm recently unveiled a new accelerator to support nonprofits developing generative AI applications.