As the demand for trusted digital infrastructure grows, Microsoft has laid out a bold new roadmap for its operations in Europe. The tech giant announced five major commitments designed to align with the continent’s values, laws, and growing push for digital sovereignty.
Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President, shared the company’s vision in a blog post. “We believe in strong transatlantic ties that promote shared economic prosperity. Our efforts aim to support Europe’s regulatory goals while deepening trust in digital technology,” he wrote.
Smith emphasized Microsoft’s continued dedication to job creation, cybersecurity, and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. “These commitments take our support for Europe one step further,” he added.
Major Expansion of European AI and Cloud Infrastructure
At the heart of Microsoft’s plan is a 40% increase in its European data center capacity over the next two years. Between 2023 and 2027, the company will double its regional data footprint, with upgrades and new builds in 16 countries. These facilities will support AI tools, cloud computing, and secure government services.
This infrastructure forms the foundation for innovation across Europe, enabling greater access to enterprise cloud services while enhancing regional AI adoption.
Examples of Microsoft’s efforts include:
- France: A sovereign cloud joint venture named Bleu, created with Capgemini and Orange, will offer Microsoft 365 and Azure services under French control.
- Germany: A sovereign data center model is being developed with Arvato Systems and SAP. Operated by SAP’s Delos Cloud GmbH, the platform will meet public sector demands with full compliance and autonomy.
These projects reflect Microsoft’s belief that AI and cloud solutions must be built on local, trusted systems.
Embedding Digital Sovereignty Through Governance and Law
Microsoft’s second pledge is legal resilience. The company will create a new European Board of Directors—composed entirely of European nationals—to oversee regional data centers and ensure compliance with national laws.
A “Digital Resilience Commitment” will be included in all contracts with the European Commission and national governments. This binding agreement protects services from foreign government interference and ensures the legal autonomy of Europe’s digital infrastructure.
The company’s five key pledges are:
- Help build a broad AI and cloud ecosystem across Europe
- Uphold Europe’s digital resilience
- Protect the privacy of European data
- Defend Europe’s cybersecurity
- Strengthen Europe’s competitiveness
As global threats intensify, Microsoft is ramping up its cybersecurity investments across Europe. Since the war in Ukraine began, it has provided over $500 million in technology and financial aid to support NATO and Ukrainian defenses.
To improve local oversight, Microsoft will appoint a European Deputy Chief Information Security Officer. This executive will ensure compliance with key regulations, including:
- NIS 2 Directive
- Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)
- Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)
The deputy CISO will report directly to Microsoft’s Global CISO, Igor Tsyganskiy.
Microsoft is also strengthening its software security by improving secure development practices and reporting processes, especially for open-source components. It will continue to partner with the European Commission through initiatives like the Secure Future Initiative and contribute to cybersecurity policy groups.
With this new direction, Microsoft offers a clear model for how global tech companies can meet Europe’s digital expectations. By focusing on legal compliance, local infrastructure, and security, Microsoft is positioning itself as a long-term digital partner to the EU.
As Europe develops new AI and data protection laws, Microsoft is aligning its business to operate on Europe’s terms—offering technology that is not only powerful, but also trusted.
