Most recently, Microsoft announced its new investment initiatives in Malaysia ($2.2 billion by 2028) and Indonesia ($1.7 billion by 2028). The investments aim to help develop cloud and AI infrastructure as well as create AI skilling opportunities in both the countries. Moreover, Microsoft will partner with the Malaysian government to build a national AI Centre of Excellence, as well as boost the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities. Supporting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) aim of boosting its digital economy to $2.7 trillion by 2030 under the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), the tech giants have pledged multi-billion-dollar investments in the area. Following close on the heels of its competitor, Microsoft announced several key investments in this region. Earlier, in April 2024, the company announced a $2.9 billion AI and cloud infrastructure investment in Japan. To support these expansion plans and boost demand for its generating AI technologies, Microsoft, on April 30, also revealed its plans to provide AI skilling opportunities to 2.5 million people in the ASEAN region by 2025. The countries that will largely benefit from the program include Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
