Google invests 5 billion euros in Belgian AI infrastructure, creating 300 additional full-time jobs.
Google is investing 5 billion euros in new AI infrastructure in Belgium, according to the company in a blog post. This two-year investment creates 300 additional full-time jobs. The company is also looking beyond just infrastructure and plans to fund non-profit organizations to provide free, practical AI training to low-skilled workers. Finally, part of the investment will go towards carbon-free energy, allowing Google to manage and develop the data centers in an environmentally friendly way.
5 Billion Euros
Tech giant Google announced the 5 billion euro investment in Belgian AI infrastructure during the economic trade mission to the US. With this two-year investment, Google aims to respond to the growing interest in Google Cloud, among other things.
First and foremost, the company will expand the data center in Saint-Ghislain, Hainaut, and offer additional employment. It is expected to create 300 additional full-time jobs. This data center is part of the Google Cloud network, which consists of 42 locations worldwide.
Carbon-free Energy
Google’s investment goes beyond just AI infrastructure. The company wants to develop its data center responsibly and is investing in carbon-free energy. “We have announced new agreements with Eneco, Luminus, and Renner that will support the development of new onshore wind farms and support the grid with clean energy,” Google stated.
“De nieuwe investering van Google is een krachtig teken van vertrouwen in België als hub voor digitale innovatie en duurzame groei”, aldus premier Bart De Wever. “Door de uitbreiding van geavanceerde cloud- en AI-infrastructuur in Saint-Ghislain, het creëren van werkgelegenheid en het waarborgen van nieuwe koolstofvrije energie, versterkt België niet alleen zijn economie en energietransitie. Dit project is ook van strategisch belang en verstevigt onze rol als leider in de digitale toekomst van Europa.”