Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, announced during his visit to Indonesia that the tech giant will be investing US$1.7 billion in the country. This investment aims to equip Indonesia with advanced cloud services and artificial intelligence capabilities, which includes the establishment of data centers.
Nadella’s visit to Jakarta marks the beginning of Microsoft’s campaign to promote its generative AI technology across Southeast Asian nations, with upcoming visits scheduled for Malaysia and Thailand.
The investment will primarily focus on expanding data center infrastructure and cloud computing in Indonesia. Nadella emphasized that this investment aims to introduce cutting-edge AI infrastructure to the country, positioning Microsoft at the forefront of this technological advancement.
During his visit, Nadella engaged in discussions with Indonesia’s outgoing President Joko Widodo and members of his cabinet to explore opportunities for collaborative AI research and talent development.
Furthermore, Microsoft announced its commitment to training 2.5 million individuals in Southeast Asia in the application of AI by the year 2025, as part of its broader efforts to promote digital skills development in the region.
Microsoft seems to be taking a scattergun approach, investing billions of dollars across various initiatives to see what gains traction. Recently, they’ve announced a substantial $2.9 billion investment over the next two years to strengthen their hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan.
Additionally, it is expanding its efforts to advance AI and promote its use in the Gulf region, exemplified by a massive $1.5 billion investment in G42, an AI technology holding company based in Abu Dhabi.
Microsoft’s strategic moves seem to extend beyond these countries. CEO Satya Nadella’s visit to Jakarta signals the start of a campaign to promote generative AI across Southeast Asia. With plans for Malaysia and Thailand on the horizon, Microsoft’s proactive approach hints at potential investments in these countries, marking a concerted effort to drive technological advancement in the region.
