Microsoft (MS) of the U.S. has decided to invest $2.2 billion in cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure over the next four years in Malaysia.
According to the Associated Press and Reuters on the 2nd (local time), MS CEO Satya Nadella, who visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, said she had decided to work with the Malaysian government to establish a national AI center.
“We are committed to supporting Malaysia’s transition to AI, which will ensure that all Malaysians benefit,” Nadella promised.
“Our digital infrastructure and technology investment will help Malaysian companies, communities, and developers apply the latest technologies to lead inclusive economic growth and innovation across Malaysia,” he stressed.
He also met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and promised to invest in establishing a national AI center, strengthening Malaysia’s information technology (IT) security capabilities, and supporting the growth of Malaysian developer communities, Anwar said on Facebook.
CEO Nadella, who is on a tour of Southeast Asian countries, promised to invest $1.7 billion in cloud and AI services in Indonesia and build a data center in Thailand, respectively.
It also decided to provide AI-related training to 2.5 million people in five Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, as well as the Philippines and Vietnam.
If it had been before, I would have invested in China. Recently, due to international relations, many companies have started investing in Southeast Asia to escape dependence on China. However, if you focus on investing in one country, problems can arise again over time. Global companies should invest in multiple countries rather than one country to seize opportunities rather than dependence.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
