BANGKOK, THAILAND – 2024/05/01: Satya Nadella, the manager chairman and CEO of Microsoft Company speaks throughout the “Microsoft Construct: AI Day” occasion on the Queen Sirikit Nationwide Conference Heart. Satya Nadella introduced that Microsoft company plans to spend money on its first knowledge heart, the Cloud First platform, in Thailand. (Photograph by Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Photos/LightRocket by way of Getty Photos)
Sopa Photos | Lightrocket | Getty Photos
Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday introduced “important commitments” to construct a brand new regional knowledge heart in Thailand, amongst different initiatives, because the U.S. tech big doubles down on Southeast Asia.
The agency stated it should additionally commit towards AI expertise coaching for over 100,000 folks and help native builders, however didn’t reveal the funding quantity.
A day earlier, Nadella stated the agency will make investments $1.7 billion into Indonesia over the subsequent 4 years to construct new cloud and AI infrastructure.
“Thailand has an unbelievable alternative to construct a digital-first, AI-powered future,” Nadella stated in a press release on Wednesday, including that the investments will assist drive influence and progress in Thailand’s private and non-private sectors.
Microsoft stated there’s rising demand for cloud computing companies in Thailand from its firms and the commitments will enable the nation to faucet on financial and productiveness alternatives arising from AI.
“At this time’s announcement with Microsoft is a major milestone within the journey of our ‘Ignite Thailand’ imaginative and prescient — one which guarantees new alternatives for progress, innovation, and prosperity for all Thais,” stated Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin, within the press launch.
Microsoft has been increasing its footprint in Southeast Asia, asserting plans for brand new regional knowledge facilities in Malaysia and Indonesia in 2021. It at the moment homes its Southeast Asia knowledge heart in Singapore.
The AI increase has boosted demand for cloud computing companies and knowledge facilities, as giant quantities of information are required to coach AI fashions and the cloud offers entry to huge datasets. Knowledge facilities are services the place knowledge resides.
Microsoft on Tuesday additionally revealed broader plans to offer AI skilling alternatives to 2.5 million folks situated within the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations — which members embody Thailand and Indonesia — by 2025.
