Microsoft has announced its plans to establish a National Artificial Intelligence Excellence Center in Malaysia, along with enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities. The company also revealed that it will be investing $2.2 billion in Malaysia over the next four years to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services.
This investment by Microsoft is the largest in its 32-year history in Malaysia, and it aims to propel the country forward in the fields of cloud and AI. The key objectives of this investment include developing a leading AI infrastructure, equipping 200,000 individuals with AI skills to create more job opportunities, and supporting local developers.
In addition to this, Microsoft will be collaborating with the Malaysian government to establish the national Artificial Intelligence Excellence Center and bolster the country’s cybersecurity capabilities. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the significance of this investment, stating that it aligns with Malaysia’s efforts to enhance its AI capabilities.
During his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the tremendous contribution that AI is expected to make to Southeast Asia’s economy by 2030. Kearney research suggests that Malaysia is projected to gain $115 billion through the adoption of AI.
Microsoft is committed to the global development of AI and cloud technologies. In fact, the company recently announced a $1.7 billion investment in Indonesia and the opening of its first regional data center in Thailand.
Furthermore, Microsoft has made a significant investment of $2.1 billion in Spain to develop AI and cloud infrastructure. This investment follows closely after the company’s commitment of three billion euros to enhance Germany’s AI ecosystem.
As the European Union prepares to implement the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, major tech companies are increasing their investments in AI in Europe. Google, for instance, has launched the Artificial Intelligence Opportunity Initiative for Europe, which includes a 25 million Euro investment to enhance Europeans’ AI skills. The company aims to collaborate with local startups to boost Europe’s AI potential. Additionally, EU governments, NGOs, academics, and businesses are partnering to equip workers with digital skills through funding. The Italian government has also launched a similar initiative, allocating millions of Euros to strengthen the digital skills of workers who may be at risk of job loss due to automation and AI.
Disclaimer: This article does not provide investment advice. Investors should be aware of the high volatility and risks associated with cryptocurrencies and should conduct their own research.
