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Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announces a new data center region in Thailand during Microsoft Build: AI Day on May 01, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Microsoft.

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Commitments include new cloud and AI infrastructure, AI skilling opportunities, and support for Thailands growing developer community

Bangkok, May 1, 2024 Today, Microsoft announced significant commitments to build new cloud and AI infrastructure in Thailand, provide AI skilling opportunities for over 100,000 people, and support the nations growing developer community.

The commitments build on Microsofts memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Royal Thai Government to envision the nations digital-first, AI-powered future.

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella made the announcement in front of approximately 2,000 developers and business and technology leaders at the Microsoft Build: AI Day in Bangkok on Wednesday. The event was also attended by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who delivered a special address.

Our Ignite Thailand vision for 2030 aims to achieve the goal of developing the countrys stature as a regional digital economy hub that significantly enhances our innovation and R&D capabilities while also strengthening our tech workforce, said Prime Minister Thavisin. Todays 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.

Thailand has an incredible opportunity to build a digital-first, AI-powered future, said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. Our new datacenter region, along with the investments we are making in cloud and AI infrastructure, as well as AI skilling, build on our long-standing commitment to the country and will help Thai organizations across the public and private sector drive new impact and growth.

Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, said: Microsoft is dedicated to helping Thailand excel as a digital economy, ensuring that the benefits of cloud and AI technologies are widespread and contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of Thais. Together, we are laying the foundations for a future that is not only technologically advanced but also inclusive and sustainable.

Growing capacity to thrive in the AI era

Microsofts digital infrastructure commitment includes establishing a new datacenter region in Thailand. The datacenter region will expand the availability of Microsofts hyperscale cloud services, facilitating enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and compliance with data residency and privacy standards.

It follows growing demand for cloud computing services in Thailand from enterprises, local businesses, and public sector organizations. It will also allow Thailand to capitalize on the significant economic and productivity opportunities presented by the latest AI technology.

According to research by Kearney, AI could contribute nearly US$1 trillion to Southeast Asias gross domestic product by 2030, with Thailand poised to capture US$117 billion of this amount.

Ensuring a skilled, AI-ready workforce

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a broader commitment to provide AI skilling opportunities for 2.5 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states by 2025. This training and support will be delivered in partnership with governments, nonprofit and corporate organizations, and communities in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Microsofts skilling commitment is expected to benefit more than 100,000 individuals in Thailand.

It will enhance the AI proficiency of those involved in the nations tourism sector through the AI Skills for the AI-enabled Tourism Industry program. The initiative is a partnership between Microsoft and Thailands Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Labour, and the nations Technology Vocational Education Training Institute. It aims to empower young entrepreneurs and youths involved in tourism businesses across minor-tier geographic provinces in all five regions of Thailand.

The program will focus on enhancing the capabilities of 500 trainers from technology vocational education training institutes in AI for Thailands tourism sector. These trainers will then equip young individuals in tourism and hospitality with AI skills. The learning module will be accessible through partners learning platforms to ensure sustainability and scalability.

The tourism initiative builds on other Microsoft-supported skilling initiatives in Thailand, including Accelerating Thailand, the ASEAN Cyber Security Programme, Code; Without Barriers, and the Junior Software Developer Program.

Microsoft will also enable the Royal Thai Government to adopt a cloud-first policy with an AI skill development program for developers and government IT personnel.

Enabling developers to harness AIs potential

Nadella highlighted the important role developers play in shaping Thailands digital-first, AI-powered future.

Microsoft will continue to help foster the growth of the countrys developer community through new initiatives such as AI Odyssey, which is expected to help 6,000 Thai developers become AI subject matter experts by learning new skills and earning Microsoft credentials.

Thailand is a rapidly growing market on GitHub, the Microsoft-owned software development, collaboration, and innovation platform. More than 900,000 Thailand-based developers used GitHub in 2023, representing 24 percent year-on-year growth.

Furthermore, many Thai organizations are boosting their productivity and accelerating innovation using Microsofts generative AI-powered solutions. For example:

Several other organizations in Thailand are working with Microsoft to explore new possibilities with AI. They include the nations largest privately held company, Charoen Pokphand Group, and leading petrochemical and refining business, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited.

Microsoft also collaborates with Thailands National Cyber Security Agency to provide information on internet safety, cyber threats and vulnerabilities, and other related guidance to enhance the nations cybersecurity posture in the AI era. The Ministry of Finance, meanwhile, is using the power of AI to enhance cross-agency data collaboration, which will unlock deeper insights that support policy development towards a more financially inclusive economy for Thailand.

To learn more about Satya Nadellas visit and how Microsoft empowers organizations in the ASEAN region with AI, visit news.microsoft.com/thailand-visit-2024.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Tags: AI, Cloud, digital skills

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