Microsoft Infrastructure Investments in Malaysia Proceeding as Planned
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – US tech giant Microsoft says its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure rollout in Malaysia is going according to plan, even with concerns over the potential disruption of AI chip supplies. The company is monitoring developments related to U.S. export restrictions on semiconductor technology, but these restrictions haven’t affected Microsoft’s operations in Malaysia.
Laurence Si, Microsoft Malaysia’s managing director, shared these details at a press conference on March 20. He emphasized that Microsoft’s investments in Malaysia, including the upcoming cloud region launch, are moving forward as scheduled. “It is committed to deploying AI services and digital infrastructure on schedule, ensuring Malaysia benefits from the latest technological advancements,” Si stated.
Concerns about AI chip supply have increased since Microsoft announced its in-house Azure Cobalt 100 chip, designed to boost AI capabilities. When asked if Malaysia’s cloud region would use these latest AI chips, Si provided more details. Microsoft is evaluating market demand. “If there is a market for it, it will be incorporated into the framework and timeline for Malaysia,” he confirmed, adding that there is already industry interest in AI-optimized chipsets such as Cobalt.
In related news, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted the importance of boosting local talent in blockchain technology to ensure that sector investments benefit Malaysians. This topic was discussed during a courtesy visit from representatives of Klickl, a company involved in finance and assets within the digital and blockchain ecosystem, as per a recent Facebook post.
