Following the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Microsoft and the Thai government last year, the tech giant has recently unveiled its plans to build its first datacenter in the country.
During the “Microsoft Build: AI Day” held in Bangkok on May 1, Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, announced the company’s new commitments to bringing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the country. This includes building the new datacentre and investing in cloud and AI infrastructure to provide AI skilling opportunities for over 100,000 professionals.
The datacenter aims to expand the availability of Microsoft’s hyperscale cloud services, facilitating enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and compliance with data residency and privacy standards, Microsoft said in a press release.
Nadella also mentioned that these initiatives will help public and private Thai organizations drive impact and growth in their respective industries.
According to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the datacenter and improved digital infrastructure will be key milestones for the country’s “Ignite Thailand” vision, which aims to develop its potential to be a regional digital economy and research and development hub.
“Today’s announcement with Microsoft is a significant milestone in the journey of our ‘Ignite Thailand’ vision—one that promises new opportunities for growth, innovation, and prosperity for all Thais,” Thavisin added.
Microsoft likewise unveiled that by 2025, the company aims to provide AI skilling opportunities to about 2.5 million professionals in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.
To learn more about it, watch Nadella’s full speech here.
