Google CEO Tom De Block explains giga AI investment in Belgium

American tech giant Google is set to invest five billion euros in its data center in Saint-Ghislain, Wallonia, over the next two years.

The money will be used in 2026 and 2027 to expand the data center. This will create 300 additional full-time jobs, bringing the total to 900 jobs in Saint-Ghislain in the province of Hainaut. This total will apply once construction is complete. The jobs will be for technicians, but also for security and catering staff.

Google wants to respond to the growing demand for the company's AI functions in apps such as Search and Maps. Companies such as Odoo and hospitals such as UZ Leuven also use Google's data centers in Belgium.

“Enormous potential for AI in Belgium, says Tom De Block”

The question is, why our country? “We see enormous potential for AI in Belgium,” explains Tom De Block, Google Country Manager BeLux in Het Laatste Nieuws. “If Belgium were to embrace AI now, studies show that our gross domestic product could increase by 50 billion over a period of ten years. Of course, this requires infrastructure and skills. That's why we're going to provide free practical training to Belgian employees.”

Tom De Block will speak at and& connect during the ‘Table for Ten’ formula about Google's future challenges and how they are using technology to make the world a better place.