This week, the company announced that it would invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in cloud and AI infrastructure in Indonesia.
“This next generation of AI is reshaping the way people live and work everywhere, including in Indonesia,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said on Tuesday. “The investments we are announcing today – covering digital infrastructure, skills and support for developers – will help Indonesia thrive in this new era. »
According to a Microsoft blog post, this investment will help the government achieve its Golden Indonesia Vision 2045, which focuses on various aspects of development, including economic, cultural and political.
Microsoft cited growing demand for cloud computing services in Indonesia to explain its investment.
According to research of consultancy firm Kearney, AI could add up to $366 billion to Indonesia’s GDP and nearly $1 trillion to Southeast Asia’s GDP by 2030.
Apple CEO Tim Cook He also appears to be eyeing Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country with around 280 million people.
Last month, he met Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta. Later, Cook said Apple would “look at” manufacturing in the country to reduce its reliance on China.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside of normal business hours.
Indonesia’s president suggested that Microsoft base its new data centers in Bali or the country’s new capital, Nusantara, Reuters reported.
Indonesia is building its capital at a cost of about $35 billion as Jakarta is sinking partly due to overexploitation of groundwater and rising sea levels.
Satya Nadella with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday in Bangkok. P.A.
Nadella also made stops in Malaysia and Thailand during a tour of Southeast Asia this week. Microsoft will invest in AI infrastructure in Thailand and build an Azure data center there.
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