The chairman of Washington’s tech behemoth Microsoft Corp (NYSE: MSFT) has been travelling through Southeast Asia to formally announce major investments in AI and cloud infrastructure.
The latest of which, a US$2.2 billion sum being used in Malaysia, was announced on Thursday. In the days prior, Satya Nadella revealed that Microsoft would be opening a new data centre in Thailand and investing US$1.7 billion into Indonesia’s AI sector.
An “AI Centre of Excellence” will be built in Malaysia.
Read more: Verses AI raises CAD$10M in private placement and leans into AI product, Genius
“Microsoft’s development of essential cloud and AI infrastructure, together with AI skilling opportunities, will significantly enhance Malaysia’s digital capacity and further elevate our position in the global tech landscape,” Nadella proclaimed.
Microsoft’s top official says the company will be training about 100,000 Thai citizens in AI skills. “Thailand has an incredible opportunity to build a digital-first, AI-powered future,” Nadella said Wednesday in a news release.
In Indonesia, Microsoft is actively engaged with the AI Odyssey program. It will help train around 10,000 tech developers on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence.
Today we announced our largest investment in our nearly three decades in Indonesia, as we partner to advance the country’s cloud and AI ambitions, and help Indonesia thrive in this new era. https://t.co/CqeLI9uVJd
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) April 30, 2024
Read more: Researchers produce measurement standards for accuracy of wearable devices
Read more: Philips Museum opens ‘brAInpower’ artificial intelligence exhibit in Netherlands
AI to become trillion dollar industry in the region
AI has the potential to contribute US$950 billion to Southeast Asia’s gross domestic product by the end of the decade, the consulting firm Kearney says. The growth trend is sure to continue in the following years.
Indonesia is expected to be the top contributor by 2030, generating an estimated US$366 billion annually. Thailand is projected to be second and Malaysia third.
“The benefits of AI can be transformative, but it requires a razor-sharp focus,” the firm said.
In Q1, Microsoft’s sales rose by 17 per cent year-over-year to nearly US$62 billion while net profit rose by 20 per cent.
rowan@mugglehead.com
