US tech behemoth, Google has reportedly announced that it will invest around $1 billion in Australia in the next five years. The investment will include its first Australian research hub, amplified cloud capacity, and collaborations with other local organizations, including the CSIRO.

Google’s Digital Future Initiative, which is one of its largest investments in the country to date, is anticipated to support around 6,000 new direct jobs and approximately 28,000 total jobs in Australia.

The investment will focus on constructing digital economy infrastructure, promoting local innovations, and solving regional issues.

Commenting on opening its new expanded office space in Sydney, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said that the investment would help local organizations enhance digital transformation, conduct research in quantum computing and AI, and offer better solutions to Australian issues, including reef health and clean energy.

Mr. Pichai added that they think a strong digital future would be where every person has access to technology and its skills.

Australia can help the world lead through the next wave of advancements, harnessing expertise to improve lives, make progress and create jobs, he said.

Voicing his views, Mr. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister, Australia, said that Google’s investment was a vote of confidence in the strategy of the Digital Economy and would have a major impact across the economy.

Not taxes and regulation but entrepreneurship can resolve the world’s biggest problems, he said, adding that the world needs to encourage, embrace and enable those who are willing to accept new digital opportunities.

The announcement of Google showcases that the country is taking the right approach, and it recognizes the digital guidance which is at present required by Australia to evolve as a top digital economy by 2030, added Mr. Morrison.

Source Credit - https://www.smh.com.au/technology/google-invests-1-billion-in-australia-with-new-research-hub-20211116-p5999g.html