BANGKOK, THAILAND – 2024/05/01: Satya Nadella, the chief 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 put money into its first information heart, the Cloud First platform, in Thailand. (Photograph by Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Photos/LightRocket by way of Getty Photos)
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Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday introduced “vital commitments” to construct a brand new regional information heart in Thailand, amongst different initiatives, because the U.S. tech big doubles down on Southeast Asia.
The agency mentioned it’ll additionally commit towards AI abilities coaching for over 100,000 individuals and assist native builders, however didn’t reveal the funding quantity.
A day earlier, Nadella mentioned the agency will make investments $1.7 billion into Indonesia over the following 4 years to construct new cloud and AI infrastructure.
“Thailand has an unimaginable alternative to construct a digital-first, AI-powered future,” Nadella mentioned in a statement on Wednesday, including that the investments will assist drive influence and development in Thailand’s private and non-private sectors.
Microsoft mentioned there may be 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 big milestone within the journey of our ‘Ignite Thailand’ imaginative and prescient — one which guarantees new alternatives for development, innovation, and prosperity for all Thais,” mentioned Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin, within the press launch.
Microsoft has been increasing its footprint in Southeast Asia, saying plans for brand spanking new regional information facilities in Malaysia and Indonesia in 2021. It presently homes its Southeast Asia information heart in Singapore.
The AI increase has boosted demand for cloud computing companies and information facilities, as giant quantities of knowledge are required to coach AI fashions and the cloud supplies entry to huge datasets. Information facilities are services the place information resides.
Microsoft on Tuesday additionally revealed broader plans to supply AI skilling alternatives to 2.5 million individuals situated within the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations — which members embody Thailand and Indonesia — by 2025.
