Microsoft's investment in Malaysia is bigger than in Indonesia

Microsoft's investment is part of training for 2.5 million Southeast Asian citizens to master artificial intelligence (AI).

AP/PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE OF MALAYSIA/ALBARRA AZFAR

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) shakes hands with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Thursday (2/5/2024).

KUALA LUMPUR, THURSDAY — CEO Microsoft Satya Nadella announced an investment of 2.2 billion US dollars for Malaysia. The amount of capital for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing technology is greater than that disbursed to Indonesia, namely 1.7 billion US dollars.

Nadella announced the investment in Malaysia when giving a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday (2/5/2024). In Malaysia he closed his tour of Southeast Asia. On Tuesday (30/4/2024) Nadella was in Jakarta and on Wednesday (1/5/2024) he was in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nadella's arrival is to develop the AI, cloud computing and database management industries based on Microsoft software. The technologies offered include Microsoft Azure, OpenAI, and Mistral AI.

"This investment of 2.2 billion US dollars is the largest single investment in Malaysia in the last 32 years," said Nadella.

Also read: A number of experts have warned of the threat of an "AI Bubble"

Over the next four years, Microsoft will build up Malaysia's capacity as a player in the artificial intelligence and cloud computing technology industries. At the same time, this development will also open up job vacancies for 200,000 local citizens.

"The use of this technology enables inclusive economic development and ensures that innovation is created. "The economy is now based on mastery of technology," said Nadella.

AFP/MOHD RASFAN

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delivers a speech at an event entitled "Microsoft Build AI Day" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday (2/5/2024).

Previously, Nadella was in Jakarta announcing an investment for the development of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data management worth 1.7 billion US dollars. This investment will open job opportunities for 840,000 residents of Indonesia.

Also read: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Meets President Jokowi at the State Palace

In Thailand, Nadella did not announce the value of investment that Microsoft will pour in. However, he promised job vacancies for 100,000 Thai citizens.

As reported by Microsoft's official page, technology giant Microsoft wants to maximize the AI ​​Odyssey initiative to develop a number of industries. Some of them are the tourism industry, health and government management.

"This is a new chapter in Thailand's development. Technology is an important aspect that cannot be underestimated," said Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Southeast Asia Hub

Nadella's arrival in Southeast Asia is part of Microsoft's mission to make this region one of the world's technology hubs. Global financial consulting firm, Kearney, released a study on Southeast Asia's gross domestic product (GDP). Based on their calculations, in 2023 Southeast Asia will enjoy a GDP of 1 trillion US dollars thanks to artificial intelligence technology.

Also read: The Aging World and AI Opportunities

Malaysia is estimated to earn one-tenth of the region's total GDP. Meanwhile, Indonesia is likely to enjoy a GDP of up to 366 billion US dollars.

Southeast Asia has a large number of software developer professionals in the world. As an illustration, Indonesia is the third country in the world with the most computer engineers after India and China. The majority of software developers in Indonesia use Microsoft's GitHub.

AFP/MOHD RASFAN

Visitors visited the Microsoft booth before attending Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's speech at the event entitled "Microsoft Build AI Day" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday (2/5/2024).

Therefore, Microsoft aims to train 2.5 million professional workforce by 2025 to master artificial intelligence. "We must build and develop world-class infrastructure and facilities that can be accessed not only by startups but also by everyone so that the results of development can be enjoyed by the community," said Nadella.

In mid-April 2024 Main Director Apple Tim Cook also visited Southeast Asia . He visited Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. He announced an additional budget of 250 million US dollars for Apple's offices in Singapore. "We are also looking at the possibility of Apple opening a factory in Indonesia," he said at the time. (AFP/REUTERS)