JAKARTA: Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in Indonesia to empower the Southeast Asian country with cloud services and Artificial Intelligence (AI), including by building data centres, visiting chief executive Satya Nadella said on Tuesday.
Nadella begins his tour of Southeast Asian nations with Jakarta as his first stop, aiming to promote Microsoft’s generative AI technology to fuel growth. Nadella highlighted Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its investment in data centres and cloud computing in Indonesia to the tune of $1.7 billion, aiming to introduce cutting-edge AI infrastructure to the country.
Emphasising their leadership in AI infrastructure development, Nadella expressed Microsoft’s dedication to spearheading this technological advancement. During his visit to Jakarta, Nadella held discussions with outgoing President Joko Widodo and his cabinet ministers, focusing on collaborative AI research and talent development initiatives.
As part of its broader global strategy, Microsoft plans to train 2.5 million individuals in Southeast Asia in AI utilization by 2025, underscoring its commitment to supporting AI development worldwide. This effort aligns with Microsoft’s recent investments in cloud and AI infrastructure, including $2.9 billion in Japan and $1.5 billion in UAE-based AI firm G42.
Nadella’s visit coincides with increased tech-related interest in Indonesia, exemplified by Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook’s recent meeting with President Widodo, during which Cook expressed interest in potentially establishing a manufacturing facility in the country.
