BANGKOK, THAILAND – 2024/05/01: Satya Nadella, Executive Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation, speaks during the “Microsoft Build: AI Day” event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Satya Nadella announced that Microsoft plans to invest in its first data center, the Cloud First platform, in Thailand. (Photo by Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday announced “significant commitments” to build a new regional data center in Thailand, among other initiatives, as the US tech giant doubles down on its efforts in Southeast Asia. East.
The company said it would also commit to training more than 100,000 people in AI skills and supporting local developers, but did not reveal the investment amount.
A day earlier, Nadella said the company would invest $1.7 billion in Indonesia over the next four years to build new cloud and AI infrastructure.
“Thailand has an incredible opportunity to build a digital-first, AI-enabled future,” Nadella said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the investments will help drive impact and growth across the public and private sectors. Thai.
Microsoft said there is growing demand for cloud computing services in Thailand from its businesses and these commitments will enable the country to harness the economic and productivity opportunities arising from AI.
“Today’s announcement with Microsoft is an important milestone in the journey of our ‘Ignite Thailand’ vision – a vision that promises new opportunities for growth, innovation and prosperity for all Thais,” said Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, in the press release.
Microsoft has expanded its presence in Southeast Asia, announcing plans for new regional data centers in Malaysia and Indonesia in 2021. It currently hosts its Southeast Asia data center in Singapore.
The AI boom has driven demand for cloud computing and data center services as large amounts of data are needed to train AI models and the cloud provides access to vast data sets. Data centers are facilities where data resides.
Microsoft also revealed broader plans on Tuesday to provide AI skills opportunities to 2.5 million people located in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – whose members include Thailand and the Indonesia – by 2025.
News Source : www.cnbc.com
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