Microsoft Thailand has unveiled plans to position the nation as a key hub for artificial intelligence (AI) in Asia. The tech giant aims to achieve this by establishing an AI Centre of Excellence and developing a dedicated cloud data center region in the country.
The collaboration between the Thai government and Microsoft was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on November 15. This strategic partnership, initiated during Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s participation in the Apec Leaders’ Meeting 2023 in San Francisco, underscores the shared vision of creating a digital-first, AI-powered nation.
Following the signing ceremony, Microsoft reiterated its commitment to actively collaborate with the Thai government. Dhanawat Suthumpun, the Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, revealed that the company plans to hold quarterly meetings with the prime minister to ensure the successful execution of their joint initiatives.
Speaking after Microsoft’s inaugural AI Summit event in Thailand, Suthumpun expressed confidence in Thailand’s potential to emerge as a prominent AI hub in Asia, emphasizing the need for sustained support and cooperation with the government.
The establishment of the AI hub will involve substantial investments in the cloud data center region, forming a network of data centers within the country. This strategic move not only aims to enhance local cloud services with minimal network latency but also positions Thailand as a pivotal location for executing AI tasks across Asia.
Just recently, Google has also entered a strategic collaboration with the Royal Thai Government to enhance Thailand’s digital competitiveness and accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) innovation.