A serious endeavour with the pledge of serious money!
In a flurry of investment over the last few weeks Microsoft are acting not talking.
- Microsoft announces US$2.2 billion investment to fuel Malaysia’s cloud and AI transformation – May 2, 2024
- Microsoft announces significant commitments to enable a cloud and AI-powered future for Thailand – May 1, 2024
- Microsoft announces AI skilling opportunities for 2.5 million people in the ASEAN region by 2025 – April 30, 2024
- Microsoft announces US$1.7 billion investment to advance Indonesia’s cloud and AI ambitions – April 30, 2024
- Microsoft to invest US$2.9 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Japan while boosting the nation’s skills, research and cybersecurity – April 10, 2024
Microsoft announces US$2.2 billion investment to fuel Malaysia’s cloud and AI transformation – May 2, 2024
Summary
Title: Microsoft Announces US$2.2 Billion Investment to Fuel Malaysia’s Cloud and AI Transformation
Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $2.2 billion over the next four years to support Malaysia’s digital transformation, marking the company’s largest investment in its 32-year history in the country. The investment encompasses:
1. Cloud and AI Infrastructure: Building new digital infrastructure in Malaysia to meet growing demand for cloud services and leverage AI technologies.
2. AI Skilling Opportunities: Providing AI training for 200,000 people in Malaysia as part of a broader plan to train 2.5 million people across ASEAN by 2025.
3. National AI Centre of Excellence: Establishing a national AI Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the Malaysian government to drive AI adoption across key industries while ensuring governance and regulatory compliance.
4. Cybersecurity Collaboration: Collaborating with Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) through the Perisai Siber initiative to enhance cybersecurity in the public sector.
5. Developer Community Growth: Initiatives like AI Odyssey to train 2,000 developers, and enhancing the use of GitHub for software development.
Key Partnerships and Use Cases:
– Agroz: Uses Azure OpenAI Service for farm management recommendations.
– Doctor2U: Uses GitHub Copilot for healthcare app development.
– PETRONAS: Uses Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service for productivity and operational efficiency.
– Prudential: Leveraging Azure OpenAI Service for customer service improvement.
Government Partnerships:
– Working with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) for trade negotiations.
– Collaborating with Cradle to develop a virtual information assistant for Malaysia’s startup ecosystem.
This investment aligns with Malaysia’s digital transformation goals, ensuring inclusive growth and innovation by developing cloud and AI infrastructure, enhancing skills, and improving cybersecurity.
Read More: [Microsoft Article]
https://news.microsoft.com/apac/2024/05/02/microsoft-announces-us2-2-billion-investment-to-fuel-malaysias-cloud-and-ai-transformation/
Microsoft announces significant commitments to enable a cloud and AI-powered future for Thailand – May 1, 2024
Summary
Title: Microsoft Announces Significant Commitments to Enable a Cloud and AI-Powered Future for Thailand
Microsoft announced major initiatives to help Thailand advance its digital transformation, focusing on cloud computing and AI. The commitments include:
1. New Data Center Region: Establishing a new data center region in Thailand to meet the increasing demand for cloud services and enable organizations to leverage advanced AI technologies.
2. AI Skilling Opportunities: Providing AI training for over 100,000 people in Thailand, particularly in the tourism sector, as part of a broader plan to train 2.5 million people across ASEAN by 2025.
3. Support for Developers: Launching initiatives like AI Odyssey to train 6,000 developers in Thailand, and enhancing GitHub usage for software development and collaboration.
4. Key Partnerships and Use Cases:
– Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS): Uses Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, and Azure OpenAI Service for workforce productivity.
– National Health Security Office (NHSO): Developed a platform using Azure OpenAI Service for personalized healthcare advice to over 66 million people.
– SCBX Public Company Limited: Using Azure OpenAI Service for financial data processing and sentiment analysis.
5. Government Collaboration:
– Supporting the Royal Thai Government’s AI skill development program.
– Partnering with the National Cyber Security Agency and the Ministry of Finance for cybersecurity and data analysis.
Microsoft’s investments align with Thailand’s “Ignite Thailand” vision for 2030, aiming to bolster the nation as a digital economy hub.
Read More: [Microsoft Article]
https://news.microsoft.com/apac/2024/05/01/microsoft-announces-significant-commitments-to-enable-a-cloud-and-ai-powered-future-for-thailand/
Microsoft announces AI skilling opportunities for 2.5 million people in the ASEAN region by 2025 – April 30, 2024
Summary:
Title: Microsoft Announces AI Skilling Opportunities for 2.5 Million People in the ASEAN Region by 2025
Microsoft has announced a commitment to provide AI skills training to 2.5 million people across ASEAN member states by 2025. The skilling initiatives will be implemented through partnerships with governments, nonprofits, corporate organizations, and communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Key Areas of Focus:
1. Inclusive, AI-Ready Workforce:
– Strengthen vocational education systems to deliver AI skills to around 644,000 vocational students across ASEAN member states.
– AI TEACH Programs: In Indonesia and Malaysia, Microsoft and the ASEAN Foundation will provide AI skills training to vocational students.
– In the Philippines, 1 million learners from kindergarten to grade 12 will be trained in AI and cybersecurity.
2. Bridging the Cybersecurity Talent Gap:
– The Asia-Pacific region faces a shortfall of 2.7 million cybersecurity professionals.
– Microsoft’s Ready4AI&Security program will train 15,000 young individuals in Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on opportunities for women.
3. Enhancing Developers’ AI Skills:
– Asia AI Odyssey Campaign: Train 30,000 developers in ASEAN countries to validate AI technical competencies and foster innovation.
4. Empowering Nonprofits:
– First Nonprofit Leaders’ Summit to equip 1,500 nonprofit employees with AI and digital skills.
– Nonprofits will gain access to Microsoft’s Resources Hub and LinkedIn for Nonprofits Resource Hub.
Key Initiatives Across Countries:
– Indonesia:
– Train 100,000 underserved youths and job seekers in AI, data, and security.
– Partnership with Kartu Prakerja, Indonesia’s largest pre-employment program.
– Malaysia:
– Provide AI skills training to 570,000 underserved youth.
– Strengthen vocational education through AI TEACH Malaysia.
– Philippines:
– Equip 1 million learners with AI and cybersecurity skills.
– Partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to train 100,000 women in AI and cybersecurity.
– Thailand:
– AI Skills for the AI-enabled Tourism Industry program to skill 100,000 young entrepreneurs.
Alignment with ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025:
Microsoft’s commitment aligns with the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 to build an AI-ready talent pool and foster sustainable digital transformation in the region.
Read More: [Microsoft Article]
https://news.microsoft.com/apac/2024/04/30/microsoft-announces-ai-skilling-opportunities-for-2-5-million-people-in-the-asean-region-by-2025/
Microsoft announces US$1.7 billion investment to advance Indonesia’s cloud and AI ambitions – April 30, 2024
Summary:
Title: Microsoft Announces US$1.7 Billion Investment to Advance Indonesia’s Cloud and AI Ambitions
Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $1.7 billion over the next four years to accelerate Indonesia’s digital transformation, marking the largest investment in the company’s 29-year history in the country. This investment includes:
1. Cloud and AI Infrastructure Expansion:
– New Digital Infrastructure: Microsoft will enhance Indonesia’s cloud and AI infrastructure, meeting the growing demand for cloud computing services.
– First Datacenter Region: Building on the Berdayakan Indonesia initiative, Microsoft will establish its first data center region in the country.
2. AI Skilling Opportunities for 840,000 People:
– AI TEACH Program: Providing AI technical and vocational training for Indonesian students.
– Ready4AI&Security Program: Offering cybersecurity careers for women.
– AI Fluency Training: Improving work readiness for underserved communities.
3. Developer Community Growth:
– AI Odyssey Campaign: Train 10,000 developers to become AI subject matter experts, earning Microsoft credentials.
– GitHub Usage: Indonesia has the third-largest developer community on GitHub in the Asia-Pacific region, and Microsoft aims to foster further growth.
4. Industry Use Cases:
– Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI): Developing four generative AI use cases, including a search engine and chatbot for transparent financial product information.
– BUMA: Leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve productivity.
– eFishery: Launching Mas Ahya (Mr. Cultivation Expert), an aqua technology solution powered by Azure OpenAI Service.
– PT Telkom Indonesia: Improved coding efficiency with GitHub Copilot.
– Universitas Terbuka: AI Assistant for grading 1,000 virtual classrooms.
– Yayasan Mitra Netra Foundation: Arabic Braille Converter using Azure OpenAI Service.
5. Responsible AI Collaboration:
– AI Ethics Implementation: Microsoft voluntarily committed to implementing ethical values in alignment with the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology’s Circular Letter No. 9/2023.
Leadership Statements:
– Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO): “This new generation of AI is reshaping how people live and work everywhere, including in Indonesia.”
– Budi Arie Setiadi (Minister of Communications and Information Technology): The partnership with Microsoft aligns with Indonesia’s ambition for a future driven by digital innovation.
Read More: [Microsoft Article]
https://news.microsoft.com/apac/2024/04/30/microsoft-announces-us1-7-billion-investment-to-advance-indonesias-cloud-and-ai-ambitions/
Microsoft to invest US$2.9 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Japan while boosting the nation’s skills, research and cybersecurity – April 10, 2024
Summary:
Title: Microsoft to Invest US$2.9 Billion in AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Japan While Boosting the Nation’s Skills, Research, and Cybersecurity
Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $2.9 billion in Japan over the next two years to enhance the nation’s AI and cloud computing capabilities. This investment aims to support Japan’s digital transformation and stimulate economic growth through AI adoption. Key components include:
1. Expanding Japan’s AI and Cloud Infrastructure Capacity:
– The $2.9 billion commitment is Microsoft’s largest investment in its 46-year history in Japan.
– Microsoft will provide advanced computing resources, including the latest graphics processing units (GPUs), crucial for accelerating AI workloads.
– This builds on Microsoft’s support for Japan’s Generative AI Accelerator Challenge (GENIAC) led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
2. Building Japan’s AI Capability by Training 3 Million People:
– Train 3 million full-time and part-time workers in AI technologies over the next three years.
– Expand Code; Without Barriers to Japan and provide training for women seeking AI-enabled work.
– Free content on AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
– Support startups through Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub and implement AI-centric programs in vocational high schools.
– Microsoft will also offer AI courses and reference architectures to developers and technology companies, augmented by GitHub Copilot.
3. Opening Japan’s First Microsoft Research Asia Lab in Tokyo:
– The new lab will focus on embodied AI and robotics, societal AI and wellbeing, and scientific discovery.
– Collaborate with The University of Tokyo and the Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Research between Keio University and Carnegie Mellon University.
– Provide $10 million in resource grants over the next five years.
4. Partnering to Strengthen Japan’s Cybersecurity Defenses:
– Collaborate with Japan’s Cabinet Secretariat to enhance cybersecurity resilience.
– Provide expertise and AI-driven security services to tackle cybersecurity threats.
Leadership Statements:
– Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: Appreciates Microsoft’s contribution to generative AI and cybersecurity collaboration.
– Brad Smith (Microsoft President): The investment is essential for Japan’s AI Economy.
– Ken Saito (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry): Welcomes Microsoft’s investment in Japan’s digital industries.
– Yuriko Koike (Governor of Tokyo): Encourages women to embrace AI and praises Microsoft’s digital skills programs.
Read More: [Microsoft Article]
https://news.microsoft.com/apac/2024/04/10/microsoft-to-invest-us2-9-billion-in-ai-and-cloud-infrastructure-in-japan-while-boosting-the-nations-skills-research-and-cybersecurity/