RememberThe Blair Witch Project, that viral horror sensation that made waves before social media was even a thing? Well, it’s back. And it’s an Xbox game.

Microsoft debuted a first look trailer forBlair Witchduring its annual E3 press conference, and it’s coming fromLayers of Feardeveloper Bloober. We don’t know much. It returns you to the Black Hills Forest, the site of the movie. There’s a camcorder. Also, a dog.

I fear for that dog. My heart already worries for what’s going to happen there. Here’s what Bloober has to say about the game:

It’s 1996. A young boy disappears in the Black Hills Forest near Burkittsville, Maryland. As Ellis, a former police officer with a troubled past, you join the search. What starts as an ordinary investigation soon turns into an endless nightmare as you confront your fears and the Blair Witch, a mysterious force that haunts the woods…

Uploads%252fstory%252fthumbnail%252f98057%252f15b2406e c7de 4514 bdcb 59cef7aab730.jpg%252f410x230 filters%253aquality%252880%2529.jpg?signature=3yuognqw635z2mqnxs44lyzfh3s=&source=https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws Of course there’s a deepfake of Jon Snow apologizing for Season 8 of ‘Game of Thrones’

Uploads%252fstory%252fthumbnail%252f98066%252f06104d6a d5dd 4e1c 913f af33c058afb8.jpg%252f410x230 filters%253aquality%252880%2529.jpg?signature=s3ogsw6eugxffnprboj4rmx81sa=&source=https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws Taylor Swift’s new music video is packed full of glorious celebrity cameos

Uploads%252fstory%252fthumbnail%252f98061%252ff5baa9c6 9dd9 462d 95ca 738abb716d91.png%252f410x230 filters%253aquality%252880%2529.png?signature=zvde zfhu1zxcxpiqh83vscksgi=&source=https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws John Oliver breaks down exactly what it would mean if Trump got impeached

Uploads%252fstory%252fthumbnail%252f98002%252f551f5598 5b0b 4610 a86d fec37a01cfe8.jpg%252f410x230 filters%253aquality%252880%2529.jpg?signature=fjlvtrjhp4hdbmgaphh i9m1yvc=&source=https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws Mandy Patinkin, Lena Headey, and more thank refugees in this video

Microsoft Canada president vows ‘community-first approach’ to AI investment

Tech giant announced $19-billion investment to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in Ontario and Quebec

Ling Hui

Published Apr 08, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read

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The Microsoft logo is displayed at an event at the Chatham House think tank in London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Photo by Kin Cheung /AP Photo

Microsoft said its billion-dollar investment to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure at Ontario and Quebec data centres will include a “community-first approach,” taking into account concerns from the local communities.

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In December, the tech giant had announced a $19-billion investment — the largest in Canadian history — to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure in the two provinces.

In a blog post Tuesday, Microsoft Canada president Matt Milton said the company is aware that Canadians have “real questions” about affordability, energy and water use, jobs and the impact on communities regarding its AI investment.

“At Microsoft, we believe communities should share in the benefits of AI infrastructure and they should not bear the costs,” Milton said.

Electricity costs, water usage among concerns

He said the company’s five “community-first” principles will shape how it will build and operate its data centres in Ontario and Quebec.

Among those principles he outlined was the company’s commitment to “paying our way on electricity” to ensure that its data centres don’t increase electricity prices for Canadians and put added strain on the grid.

Milton said the company will work with provinces, utilities, system operators and regulators to plan new supply in advance. He also said the company will pay the full cost of the electricity it uses, including the cost of new generation, transmission and grid upgrades.

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Milton also said that Canada’s cooler climate means the company can cool its data centres mostly using outside air, “using water for cooling less than 5% of the year.”

Thousands employed in construction process

He also said the company will work with local governments, conservation partners and research institutions on water projects.

Milton said Microsoft’s data centre investment in Canada will employ about 2,000 workers across all sites during construction with 400 Canadian businesses involved during the construction phase.

He said once its data centres are built and operational, the company will create 250 full-time jobs and hire about 400 contractors to maintain and operate its sites.

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In December, the tech giant had announced a $19-billion investment — the largest in Canadian history — to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure in the two provinces.

“At Microsoft, we believe communities should share in the benefits of AI infrastructure and they should not bear the costs,” Milton said.

Electricity costs, water usage among concerns

He said the company’s five “community-first” principles will shape how it will build and operate its data centres in Ontario and Quebec.

Story continues below

Milton also said that Canada’s cooler climate means the company can cool its data centres mostly using outside air, “using water for cooling less than 5% of the year.”

Thousands employed in construction process

He also said the company will work with local governments, conservation partners and research institutions on water projects.

Milton said Microsoft’s data centre investment in Canada will employ about 2,000 workers across all sites during construction with 400 Canadian businesses involved during the construction phase.

He said once its data centres are built and operational, the company will create 250 full-time jobs and hire about 400 contractors to maintain and operate its sites.

Microsoft touts $500 million AI savings while slashing jobs
Plaintiff awarded $6M in landmark social media lawsuit against Google, Meta

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‘Blair Witch’ brings a new vision to the series on Xbox, and it includes a dog