Microsoft To Invest $2.2 Billion In Malaysia To Develop AI Opportunities Over 4 Years: All You Need To Know

Microsoft revealed plans to collaborate with the Malaysian government to set up a national AI Centre of Excellence and enhance cybersecurity capabilities.

Microsoft's Chief Executive Satya Nadella emphasised the company's commitment to establishing world-class infrastructure within Malaysia. ( Image Source :Getty )

Microsoft announced a massive investment of $2.2 billion over the next four years in Malaysia to bolster its presence in Asia. The focus of this investment will be on expanding cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services. As reported by Reuters, this initiative marks Microsoft's largest investment in Malaysia since its inception 32 years ago.

During a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Microsoft's Chief Executive Satya Nadella emphasised the company's commitment to establishing world-class infrastructure within Malaysia. This investment will not only entail building cloud and AI infrastructure but also creating opportunities for AI skill development for around 200,000 individuals, as well as extending support to the country's developers.

National AI Centre

Moreover, Microsoft revealed plans to collaborate with the Malaysian government to set up a national AI Centre of Excellence and enhance cybersecurity capabilities. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his support for this investment, highlighting its alignment with Malaysia's ambitions to strengthen its AI capabilities.

This move comes as part of Microsoft's broader strategy to expand its support for AI development globally. Recently, Nadella announced a $1.7 billion investment in Indonesia and unveiled plans for the company's first regional data centre in Thailand.

Ads On Windows 11

Additionally, Microsoft has initiated a test phase for displaying advertisements within the Start Menu of Windows 11. Promoted apps are being showcased in the 'Recommended' section of the menu, a move reminiscent of previous attempts by Microsoft to integrate ads into its operating system. This experimental feature is currently exclusive to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel within the US.

The aim behind this advertising experiment is to increase the visibility of apps available in the Microsoft Store by presenting them alongside recently installed and frequently used programs. While users have the option to disable these prompts through Settings, some have voiced concerns that this adds to the complexity of adjusting settings for an ad-free Windows 11 experience.