Microsoft has announced a big investment in Indonesia to bring cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI) to the country. The company will be investing $1.7 billion over the next four years. This investment will include building data centers and expanding AI infrastructure in Indonesia.
The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, made this announcement during his visit to Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. This visit is part of a larger trip to Southeast Asian countries to promote Microsoft’s generative AI technology. After Indonesia, Nadella will also be visiting Malaysia and Thailand.
During his visit, Nadella met with outgoing President Joko Widodo and his cabinet ministers to discuss joint research and talent development. The Indonesian Communications Minister, Budi Arie Setiadi, shared that President Widodo suggested Microsoft consider basing their data centers in Bali or in the new capital city Nusantara, which is currently being built in the jungle of Borneo.
Microsoft CEO Nadella tours Southeast Asia in search for growth markets
One of the key aspects of this investment in Indonesia is the training of people in AI technology. The goal is to train 2.5 million people in Southeast Asia by 2025, with 840,000 of them coming from Indonesia. This training will help develop a skilled workforce in AI technology in the region.
This investment in Indonesia is part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to support the development of AI globally. The company made a $29 billion investment in cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan and a $1.5 billion investment in an AI firm based in the UAE.
Nvidia, Apple leaders also visited region before Nadella
Indonesia, with its large and tech-savvy population, is seen as a key market for tech-related investments. Companies like Microsoft and Apple are looking to tap into this market to expand their presence in the region.
This announcement builds upon the company’s recent success, as reported in its strong third-quarter results. Revenue and profit exceeded expectations, fueled by the increasing adoption of AI technology across its cloud services.
Microsoft’s investment in Indonesia signals the company’s commitment to expanding its cloud and AI capabilities in the. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the Indonesian tech sector and contribute to the country’s digital transformation.
