- Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced “significant initiatives” on Wednesday, including building a new regional data center in Thailand.
- This comes after the company announced a day earlier that it would invest $1.7 billion in Indonesia over the next four years to build new cloud and AI infrastructure.
- “Today's announcement with Microsoft is an important milestone in the journey of our 'Ignite Thai' vision, which promises new opportunities for growth, innovation and prosperity for all Thais,” Thai Prime Minister Sureta Thavisin said in a statement. ” he said.
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said on Wednesday that the US tech giant will build a new regional data center in Thailand, among other initiatives, as it doubles down on its expansion into Southeast Asia. announced an “important initiative.''
The company said it would also train more than 100,000 people in AI skills and support local developers, but did not disclose the investment amount.
A day earlier, Nadella announced that the company would invest $1.7 billion in Indonesia over the next four years to build new cloud and AI infrastructure.
“Thailand has a tremendous opportunity to build a digital-first, AI-powered future,” Nadella said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the investment will help boost the impact and growth of Thailand's public and private sectors. He added that it was helpful.
Microsoft said there is growing demand for cloud computing services from its companies in Thailand, and this initiative will enable the country to take advantage of economic and productivity opportunities arising from AI.
“Today's announcement with Microsoft is an important milestone in the journey of the 'Ignite Thai' vision, which promises new opportunities for growth, innovation and prosperity for all Thais,” Thai Prime Minister Sureta Thavisin said in a press release. ”.
Microsoft is expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia, announcing plans to build new regional data centers in Malaysia and Indonesia in 2021. Currently, the Southeast Asia data center is located in Singapore.
The AI boom has increased the demand for cloud computing services and data centers because training AI models requires large amounts of data, and the cloud provides access to vast datasets. A data center is a facility where data resides.
Microsoft on Tuesday also unveiled broader plans to provide AI skills opportunities to 2.5 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which also includes Thailand and Indonesia, by 2025.