Microsoft Expands Digital Alliance with the city of Houston

The city of Houston has announced the expansion of its digital alliance with Microsoft. With this expansion of the partnership, the tech giant will help the city innovate in the areas of big data, AI, and digital economy. Additionally, Microsoft will be introducing a new program in Houston to help the city recover from the pandemic by helping underserved communities to upskill and re-skilling those in need.

The announcement of the expansion of the digital alliance was made by Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner. “More than two years ago, I announced our first transformative alliance with Microsoft — the first of its kind in the United States,” said the Mayor. “Today, I am pleased to say we are taking another leap toward strengthening Houston’s global standing as a center for innovation and technology.”

To help, Microsoft is coordinating with corporate partners, K-12 school systems, and higher education providers. The company is creating a plan for upskilling those in need and helping bridge the gap across various underserved communities.

Houston and Microsoft will also work together to advance civic innovation and smart city initiatives, economic development and recovery, and digital skilling for the workforce and youth.

Microsoft is also investing more than $1 million into programs that support social entrepreneurship and other initiatives in partnership with the city’s Innovation District at The Ion.

 “Accelerate,” a Microsoft Global Skills Initiative, which aims to help around 25 million people with digital skills by 2020 end, has now been introduced in Houston.