Wisconsin Builds World’s Most Powerful AI Datacenter

MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis. — In the heart of Wisconsin’s manufacturing corridor, one of the world’s most ambitious technology projects is taking shape. Microsoft is nearing completion of Fairwater, the world’s most powerful artificial intelligence datacenter, a project that leaders say will not only advance global computing power but also bring transformative opportunities to Wisconsin communities.

The facility, now in its final construction phase, is on track to go online in early 2026. It fulfills the company’s initial $3.3 billion investment pledge and has already begun generating long-term employment opportunities.

But the tech giant isn’t stopping there. An additional $4 billion investment was announced this week to build a second datacenter of similar size and scale, bringing Microsoft’s total commitment in Wisconsin to more than $7 billion.

Building the Most Advanced AI Datacenter in the World

Engineered for training the next generation of AI models, the Mount Pleasant site will house hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA GPUs connected by enough fiber optic cabling to circle the Earth four times. These massive computing clusters will deliver performance ten times greater than today’s fastest supercomputers, powering the creation of frontier AI systems across industries.

“This is where the next generation of AI will be trained,” Microsoft leaders said. “New discoveries in medicine, science, and other critical fields will start right here, with the models we train in Wisconsin.”

What It Means for Wisconsin

Beyond the groundbreaking technology, the project promises economic growth and workforce development.

• At construction peak, more than 3,000 union workers — including electricians, plumbers, ironworkers, and carpenters — have been on-site daily.
• Once operational, the first datacenter will employ about 500 full-time staff, growing to 800 jobs after the second facility is complete.
• Students at Gateway Technical College can train at Wisconsin’s first Datacenter Academy, preparing them for high-demand roles in IT and datacenter operations.
• Local businesses and startups are already engaging with Microsoft engineers through partnerships that transform AI concepts into real-world solutions.

For Mount Pleasant residents, it’s also a story of resilience and transformation. A site once associated with industrial decline is now becoming a hub for next-generation innovation.

A Datacenter Designed for Sustainability

Microsoft emphasized that Fairwater is being built with efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind.

• Over 90% of cooling will come from a closed-loop liquid system, with outside air used on milder days to reduce water use.
• Annual water consumption is projected to be roughly equal to that of a single restaurant or what a golf course uses in one summer week.
• The company has prepaid for energy and infrastructure to prevent rate hikes for nearby residents.
• Every kilowatt-hour consumed from fossil fuel sources will be matched with carbon-free energy, including a new 250 MW solar project in Portage County.
• Partnerships with WE Energies and local environmental groups include investments in prairie and wetland restoration across Racine and Kenosha counties.

Investing in People and Community

Microsoft says this project is more than just a datacenter.

• The company has partnered with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and TitletownTech to launch the nation’s first manufacturing-focused AI Co-Innovation Lab, already assisting 23 Wisconsin businesses with AI integration.
• Through training initiatives with the University of Wisconsin System, United Way, and Gener8tor, more than 114,000 people statewide have been trained in AI skills, including 1,400 Racine County residents.
• Broadband expansion efforts have brought high-speed internet to over 9,300 rural homes and 1,200 businesses in Sturtevant, ensuring local communities benefit from the digital future being built in their backyard.

A Vision Beyond Technology

For Microsoft, the Wisconsin investment is as much about community as computing power.

“Mount Pleasant isn’t just becoming a hub for AI — it’s becoming a blueprint for how innovation can serve everyone,” company leaders said. “We’re not just investing in an AI datacenter; we are investing in a community. And we are investing in a powerful idea: that innovation is for everyone, and that we can build the future together — with care for people, place, and planet.”

Originally reported by Brad Smith - Vice Chair and President.