Ahmed Mazhari’s Post

Leveraging AI's transformative capabilities, we’re shaping a better future for ASEAN.

Asia is where the Action is! And within that ASEAN has tremendous opportunity to grow… An investment on AI-Skilling will certainly pave the way of growth for ASEAN enterprises…

Why Has Microsoft Overlooked Its Loyal Ally, the Philippines, in AI Investments? Peter Maquera Ahmed Mazhari The world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expanding rapidly, transforming industries and economies across the globe. Major tech companies like Microsoft are at the forefront of this revolution, strategically placing AI investments in various regions to harness the potential of these technologies. However, one question looms large: why has the Philippines, a long-standing and loyal ally of the United States, been seemingly overlooked in this tech advancement tide? The Philippines boasts a strategic geographical position in Southeast Asia, a burgeoning tech-savvy population, and has historically been aligned with Western technological and economic policies. These attributes make it an ideal candidate for significant AI investments and collaborations. Despite these advantages, there seems to be a noticeable absence of major AI initiatives from tech giants like Microsoft in the region. This raises a critical query about the dynamics of tech investments and the factors influencing these pivotal decisions. The Potential for AI in the Philippines The potential for AI in the Philippines is immense. With one of the highest internet penetration rates in Southeast Asia and a young, adaptable workforce, the country is ripe for an AI revolution. Initiatives such as building AI data centers and launching educational programs like "Teach AI Philippines" could dramatically transform the economic landscape, creating new opportunities and strengthening the tech ecosystem. An Invitation to Rekindle the Tech Flame This is an open invitation to Microsoft and other tech leaders to reconsider the Philippines not just as a market, but as a partner in shaping the future of AI. Establishing a data center, for instance, could serve as a hub for AI research and development in the region, providing Microsoft with a strategic base to influence and lead in Southeast Asia's burgeoning tech scene. Building Bridges Through Education and Innovation Launching initiatives like "Teach AI Philippines" could also play a transformative role. By equipping the next generation with AI skills and knowledge, Microsoft can contribute significantly to building a tech-savvy workforce, ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. These educational programs would not only empower local talent but also foster a deeper collaboration between Microsoft and the Philippine tech community. The oversight of the Philippines in the global AI investment strategy may be an oversight that needs correction. There is a unique opportunity here for Microsoft to lead by example, showing that strategic investments in technology can yield dividends not only in economic terms but also in strengthening long-standing alliances. Dominic Ligot Ivan John Uy ---

ASEAN's Tech Ascendancy: A Tale of Innovation On a bright Tuesday, May 7, 2024, I had the privilege of kick-starting our joint committee meeting as the ICT Chair of AmCham Indonesia, where we dove into the heart of ASEAN's stance on the Digital Economy and AI. We were graced by the insights of Sivaram Superamanian, Head of Digital Economy of the ASEAN Secretariat, and Maciej Surowiec, Head of Government Affairs of Microsoft ASEAN. Sivaram cast a spotlight on the DEFA and ASEAN AI Guide, not merely as frameworks but as catalysts thrusting ASEAN into the global tech limelight. DEFA emerges as a visionary blueprint, set to infuse an eye-popping USD 2 trillion into region digital economy by 2030, supercharging ASEAN's place on the world stage. It's not just a plan; it's digital destiny unfolding. The ASEAN AI Guide serves as ethical compass in the AI odyssey. It is advocating transparency, fairness, and a human-centric approach. More than guidelines, it's the harmonizing approach for regional policies and a strategic map for national AI agendas. These initiatives are the collective pledge to overcome the AI divide, aligning ASEAN's spirit with tech evolution and resonating with the global AI chorus. Maciej amplified this vision, highlighting the urgency to bridge the AI readiness chasm within ASEAN, ensuring AI's wonders are shared equitably. He called for a symphony of AI frameworks and responsible practices, weaving the fabric that strengthens ASEAN's solidarity and boosts the global tech stature. And indeed, as Ahmed Mazhari, President of Microsoft Asia, posted an observation, ASEAN is swiftly accelerating its innovation journey, setting the pace for a tech-empowered future.

Diversify business investments geographically to tap into Southeast Asia's emerging tech hub. Consider Malaysia for data center investments given tax incentives and cost advantages. Explore opportunities in other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Thailand for cloud and AI infrastructure. #SoutheastAsiaTechHub #DataCenterInvestments #MalaysiaAdvantages #CloudAIInfrastructure #BusinessExpansion Learn more about this topic here: https://lnkd.in/d_rBejCu At Grow Scale Win™, we're all about using AI to enhance productivity and efficiency. That's why we've built the AI Growth System™, a truly holistic approach to growing your business. You get a personalized growth strategy and a full suite of AI powered tools to generate leads, nurture prospects, and close sales. Learn more at www.growscalewin.com. DM us with any questions.

👉 MS solidifies its presence in the Southeast Asian AI market with $2.2 billion investment in Malaysia MS CEO, Nadella, recently unveiled a massive AI investment plan on April 30, starting with Indonesia to Thailand and Malaysia. At the AI National Leadership Forum in Malaysia, Nadella announced a $2.2 billion investment over four years in cloud computing and AI infrastructure. Additionally, MS plans to establish an AI education center to train around 200,000 Malaysians in AI technologies. This investment marks the largest single investment in MS's 32-year history of Malaysian market entry. Malaysia stands out among Southeast Asian nations for its rapid growth in the AI industry. Particularly, the southern Johor Bahru region, connected to Singapore via a causeway, is emerging as a key hub for AI data centers in Southeast Asia. Last year, NVIDIA collaborated with local utility company YTL Power to build a $4.3 billion AI data center park in this area. Prior to this, Nadella met with the President of Indonesia as his first agenda, where he committed to investing $1.7 billion over four years in building cloud services and AI infrastructure. He also outlined plans to provide AI education to 840,000 Indonesians. Subsequently, during his visit to Bangkok, Thailand, Nadella emphasized the establishment of MS’s Azure data center. While the exact investment size for Thailand was not disclosed, local media reports suggest that MS plans to invest approximately $1 billion in building the data center. MS’s substantial investment in the Southeast Asian AI market is driven by the region’s potential for growth. According to a global consulting firm, AI in Southeast Asia has the potential to add approximately $1 trillion to the local economy by 2030. As the US-China technological power struggle intensifies, US tech giants are finding it challenging to operate within China, making the Southeast Asian market an alternative. MS’s investment plan in Southeast Asian AI indicates a forthcoming intense competition among big tech companies to lead the market, including cloud services, in the region. #WeeklyAIIssue #MS #AI #southeast #investment

Microsoft's visiting chief executive, Satya Nadella, announced on Tuesday that the company will invest $1.7 billion over the next four years to create data centres and grow cloud services and artificial intelligence in Indonesia. Nadella is beginning a tour of Southeast Asian nations to promote the generative AI technology of the American company, and his first stop is Jakarta. Later this week, he will travel to Thailand and Malaysia. Microsoft’s investment will “bring the latest and greatest AI infrastructure to Indonesia,” Nadella said. “We’re going to lead this wave in terms of AI infrastructure that’s needed,” he added. According to #Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, Nadella met with outgoing President Joko Widodo and his cabinet ministers earlier on Tuesday to talk about collaborative AI research and talent development. According to the minister, Widodo proposed that Microsoft locate its data centres on the popular island of Bali or in Nusantara, the new capital city now under #development in the Borneo jungle. According to Nadella, Microsoft will provide AI training to 2.5 million people in Southeast Asia by 2025, including 840,000 people in Indonesia. With a $2.9 billion investment in cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan and a $1.5 billion investment in UAE-based AI startup G42, Microsoft is attempting to increase its support for the worldwide development of AI. Due to its large and technologically literate population, Indonesia is a prime target market for investments in the IT sector in Southeast Asia. Microsoft surprised Wall Street last week with its third-quarter revenue and profit, mostly due to the benefits of integrating artificial intelligence into all of its cloud services. To share your startup story write us on - contact@startuprise.org #Investment #Microsoft #Revenue #ITSector #Minister #ArtificialIntelligence #SatyaNadella #Technology

Did you know that Malaysia is set to become a major tech hub in Southeast Asia? Let me explain... Google's recent announcement of significant investments in Malaysia is set to transform the country's tech landscape. With a projected $3 billion contribution to Malaysia's GDP by 2030 and the creation of 26,500 jobs, this move signals a major shift in the region's tech ecosystem. But it's not just about the numbers. The real game-changer here is Malaysia's proactive approach to developing a national cloud policy and AI regulations. This forward-thinking strategy will create a fertile ground for innovation and growth in the tech industry. Key takeaways: 1. $2 billion data center construction underway 2. National cloud policy in development 3. AI regulations being formulated As tech leaders, we need to ask ourselves: How can we leverage these developments to drive innovation in our own organizations? Are we prepared for the wave of opportunities this tech boom will bring? Let's discuss: What do you think will be the most significant impact of these investments on the Southeast Asian tech scene? #TechInnovation #AIRegulation #CloudComputing #MalaysiaTech PS: At Nozovo AI, we're excited about these developments and are ready to help businesses navigate this evolving landscape. Our AI solutions can help you stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on emerging opportunities in regions like Malaysia. Interested in learning more? Let's connect!

🌏💻 Global technology giants have announced plans to invest over $55 billion in Southeast Asia in these technologies starting in 2023. These investments establish Southeast Asia as a central battlefield in the race for cloud and artificial-intelligence supremacy. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam are leading the charge, with their governments rolling out policy support and tax incentives to attract technology companies. #TechInvestment #SoutheastAsia #AI #CloudComputing #Innovation #EconomicGrowth

Game-Changing Investment Alert! Google has just announced a $1 billion investment in Thailand, positioning the country as a rising digital hub in Southeast Asia! This monumental move will drive advancements in AI, cloud infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology, reshaping the region's tech landscape. But here’s where it gets interesting—while Thailand traditionally lags behind Singapore and Indonesia in the tech space, this investment is set to make waves. Will Thailand outpace its neighbours and become the new go-to tech hub? Industry players need to pay close attention, or risk being left behind in this rapidly evolving market. With AI innovation now anchored in Thailand, this investment will add $4 billion to GDP and create 14,000 jobs. This move marks a clear sign that AI-driven economies are the future. But is this a win for Thailand alone, or a warning to others in the region to up their game? 🤔 Stay ahead of the curve and join the conversation using #AIFrontier2024—because this isn’t just about Thailand; it's about the next global tech powerhouse! 💡 #TechInnovation #AIRevolution #GoogleAI #CloudComputing #DigitalTransformation