Inside Microsoft's New AI-Powered Enterprise

Microsoft has unveiled Microsoft Frontier Company, a new operating business that aims to accelerate enterprise AI adoption by combining engineering expertise, industry knowledge and change management with measurable business outcomes.

How AI is transforming Microsoft’s systems 

The initiative is part of a US$2.5bn investment and will procure 6,000 engineers and industry specialists to work directly alongside customers to design, implement and refine AI systems tailored to their organisations.

Microsoft says the model moves beyond traditional AI consulting by merging engineering teams with customers to continuously improve AI performance over time. 

Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft Commercial Business, says: “The pace of AI adoption is moving incredibly fast. Customers have moved well beyond experimentation and understand the importance of adopting AI to transform their business.

"They are now concentrating on delivering measurable business outcomes and demonstrating a return on their AI investments, while ensuring their intelligence is amplified and their IP is protected.”

Judson continues: “I am excited about all the things that Microsoft Frontier Company will do for our customers to realize the gains of Frontier Transformation. At the end of the day, it comes down to Intelligence + Trust and empowering our customers to achieve meaningful outcomes and a return on their investments.”

To support customer valuation, Microsoft Frontier Company maintains procurement partnerships with several Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) organisations, including PwC, KPMG, EY, Capgemini and Accenture.

To oversee the operations of this new venture, Rodrigo Kede Lima has been appointed as the President of Microsoft Frontier Company. Throughout his six-year tenure at Microsoft, Rodrigo has played a pivotal role in leading sales across the Americas and Asia. He has been instrumental in helping partners and customers navigate technological evolutions while developing integrated ecosystems within the company.

Microsoft’s additional projects

In addition to Microsoft’s new AI venture, the software giant has completed construction of its first AI data centre in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.

The Fairwater facility presently utilises a full-time workforce of approximately 550 on-site employees and is described by the software company as the most powerful AI data hub globally. 

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft adds: “With our Fairwater datacenter now fully operational, Wisconsin is now home to the world’s most powerful supercomputer,” 

“This campus will help power the next generation of AI innovation globally and provide long-term economic opportunity locally through hundreds of highly skilled jobs and continued investment in the region.”

David DeGroot, Village President of Village of Mount Pleasant, adds: “This is a historic milestone for Mount Pleasant and all of Racine County as we become home to one of the most advanced technology campuses in the world,”

“Microsoft’s decision to invest here elevates our community into a destination for innovation and advancement. As this campus continues to grow, it will create lasting opportunities for residents, strengthen our regional economy and help position Wisconsin for long-term success.”

The data centre, which was first revealed in 2024, beat its original early 2026 completion target. Work is now underway on a second neighbouring facility that is expected to be finished by 2028. Upon its completion, Microsoft anticipates that its total investment in Wisconsin hyperscale infrastructure will amount to US$4.7bn.