Microsoft has announced it will invest a record five billion dollars over the next two years into Australia’s artificial intelligence industry to combat the rising tide of cyber threats.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the new partnership on the first day of his visit to the United States, welcoming the single largest investment by the tech giant into Australia in 40 years.
Microsoft with work with the Australian Signals Directorate to create a ‘Cyber Shield’ aimed at protecting residents, businesses from cybercrime and data breaches.
The company help 300,000 Australians upskill for roles essential for the expanding cloud computing industry and collaborate with TAFE NSW on a new cyber academy which will provide critical training.
Mr Albanese said the investment would help the nation better identify, prevent and respond to cyber attacks following last year’s Optus and Medibank hacks which saw the details of millions compromised.
“This partnership and collaboration with the Australian Signals Directorate is very welcome indeed,’ he said.
“We know that this is having an impact on all companies. We know as well that this is about individuals and the protection of who they are.
“We need to get this right.”
Science and Industry Minister Ed Husic also spoke to the importance of the new investment from Microsoft.
“This is a big deal for our tech sector. Australia is one of the world’s most advanced users of cloud technologies and this investment will keep us at the forefront,” he said.
The Prime Minister later faced questioning from Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell about the details of the cybersecurity announcement and his upcoming trip to China in November.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance recently issued a reprimand to China for conducting what it claims is intellectual property theft on a scale “well beyond traditional espionage”.
“Prime Minister, so much of this trip, including this cybersecurity announcement, appears aimed at countering the threat of China. Do you see the irony there when you are about to visit there, for a friendly visit, in almost a fortnight?” Mr Clennell asked the Prime Minister.
The Labor leader responded by declaring the partnership was about “strengthening Australia” and creating well-paid jobs.
The first full day of the Prime Minister’s visit to America began with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery in the state of Virginia where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and paid his respects to two Australians buried there.
He expected to visit the Oval Office in the coming days and speak at the joint press conference with US President Joe Biden ahead of the state dinner at the White House held in Australia’s honour.
It will be the pair’s ninth meeting since Mr Albanese came to office in May last year.
The two leaders are set to discuss key issues including the AUKUS pact, climate change and inflation reduction.
(Sky News)
