Ukraine will be able to use Microsoft's cloud and artificial intelligence services as well as its data centers across Europe, he explained at the Web Summit, a high mass of tech in Europe , where he was invited to speak alongside Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhaïlo Fedorov.
The total aid provided by the American giant to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion thus reaches 400 million dollars, he said.
Ukraine makes extensive use of technological tools to support its war effort, guarantee cybersecurity and ensure the continuity of its digital services, from education to health.
"This war has shown in part the need to move services to the cloud in times of war to ensure their resilience and security," said Brad Smith.
This additional aid "will allow the government and companies in Ukraine to continue their activity in the service of Ukrainian citizens", he added, mentioning the importance of "the digital alliance of countries, companies and non-governmental organizations, united to support Ukraine".
Microsoft vice-president Brad Smith during a press conference at the Web Summit on November 3, 2022 in Lisbon PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA AFP
Mykhaïlo Fedorov, for his part, returned to Ukraine's project to become "the most digital country in the world", with the development of a "digital passport", a business registration service or the use by millions of Ukrainians from the government application Diia.
Ukraine has sought the help of global digital giants for this, and has obtained in particular a donation of Starlink satellite communication systems from American billionaire Elon Musk.
Asked about Elon Musk's recent suggestion that he could stop this aid, Mykhaïlo Fedorov indicated that there was "no problem with this system", but that he was also present at the Web Summit to tie "new partners".
© 2022 AFP