24/7 Space News
TECH SPACE
Microsoft announces $2.2 bn AI, cloud investment in Malaysia
Microsoft announces $2.2 bn AI, cloud investment in Malaysia
By M JEGATHESAN
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) May 2, 2024

Microsoft pledged a $2.2 billion investment in artificial intelligence and cloud computing in Malaysia on Thursday to help develop the country's AI infrastructure.

The tech giant's chief executive Satya Nadella is on a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia -- Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia -- to announce a range of investments in data centres, AI and cloud services.

"Today, Microsoft announced it will invest $2.2 billion over the next four years to support Malaysia's digital transformation -- the single largest investment in its 32-year history in the country," it said in a statement released as Nadella gave a keynote speech in Kuala Lumpur.

It said the cash would help to build AI and cloud infrastructure in Malaysia, creating an AI centre of excellence and giving AI training to as many as 200,000 Malaysians.

"We are committed to supporting Malaysia's AI transformation and ensure it benefits all Malaysians," Nadella said in the statement.

"Our investments in digital infrastructure and skilling will help Malaysian businesses, communities, and developers apply the latest technology to drive inclusive economic growth and innovation across the country."

He also confirmed the investment in his keynote speech, saying he was "really pleased" to announce the expansion.

"We really want to make sure that we have world-class infrastructure right here in the country so that every organisation, every software developer, every start-up, can use it to really not only to build for this country, but for the world and the region," he told the crowd.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the pledge, calling it proof of confidence in the "investor-friendliness and political stability" of the country.

"These investments... will be a major backbone to the government's focus on developing AI capacity in the country," he wrote on his Facebook page.

The announcement comes after tech chief Nadella unveiled a $1.7 bn investment in Indonesia, as well as Thailand's first data centre region this week to boost cloud and AI infrastructure.

Research by global consulting firm Kearney showed AI was poised to contribute $1 trillion to Southeast Asia's gross domestic product by 2030, with Malaysia predicted to see more than a tenth of that, the statement said.

Microsoft began its operations in Malaysia in 1992, according to its official website, and now employs more than 200 employees across its offices in Kuala Lumpur and in northern Penang state.

The company has been hugely rewarded by investors since it aggressively pushed into rolling out generative AI, starting with its $13 billion partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, in 2023.

Nadella said last week sales in January-March rose 17 percent on-year to $61.9 billion, with net profit up 20 percent to $21.9 billion.

The embrace of AI has boosted sales of Microsoft's key cloud services such as Azure, which have become the core of its business under Nadella's leadership.

Related Links
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Microsoft CEO pledges $1.7 bn AI, cloud investment in Indonesia
Jakarta (AFP) April 30, 2024
Microsoft's chief executive officer pledged a $1.7 billion investment in artificial intelligence and cloud computing to help develop Indonesia's AI infrastructure after a meeting with the archipelago's president on Tuesday. Indonesia is Southeast Asia's biggest economy and has a population of around 280 million across its sprawling archipelago, with a growing demand for data centres and AI tech in the region. Satya Nadella held talks with President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, at Jaka ... read more

TECH SPACE
NASA announces new Stennis Space Center director

Major advancements in US space domain awareness through Space Systems Command

NASA and Boeing Prepare for Historic Starliner Launch

Neuraspace launches new tiers for enhanced space traffic management

TECH SPACE
China's rocket engine test sets new thrust record

SpaceX ties record with 20th Falcon 9 booster re-use in Galileo L12 launch

Rocket Lab schedules dual launches for NASA's climate satellite missions

Private firm advances with new liquid-fuel rocket development

TECH SPACE
NASA Scientists Gear Up for Solar Storms at Mars

China aims to retrieve Martian soil samples by 2030

Hera mission plans Mars flyby en route to asteroid study

NASA Mars Analog Crew Approaches Mission Conclusion

TECH SPACE
Shenzhou XVIII crew takes command at Tiangong space station

Shenzhou XVIII astronauts enter space station

China outlines objectives for Shenzhou XVIII space mission

Scientific projects on China's space station yield significant results

TECH SPACE
SES's O3b mPOWER System Initiates Global High-Performance Connectivity Services

PLD Space secures 120 million euros to fuel its space missions

Weather models advance satellite tracking capabilities

ESA and EU Partner to Enhance Space Utilization for Earthly Benefits

TECH SPACE
Microsoft announces $2.2 bn AI, cloud investment in Malaysia

Microsoft CEO pledges $1.7 bn AI, cloud investment in Indonesia

Production of minerals for clean energy is insufficient: UN

Exploring the Causes of Structural Failures Due to Buckling

TECH SPACE
Decaying orbits of exoplanets linked to stellar magnetic fields

Study traces bioluminescence back 540 million years in octocorals

Hidden biosphere discovered beneath world's driest hot desert

Astronomers propose new formation model for JuMBO free-floating planets

TECH SPACE
Juno mission reveals volcanic landscapes on Io

Probing liquid water beyond Earth with advanced radar technology

Dating the Solar System's orbital changes with enstatite meteorites

Pluto's heart-shaped feature explained by international research team

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.