Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announces a $2.2 billion investment to advance new cloud and AI infrastructure in Malaysia during the Microsoft Build: AI Day on May 02, 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Investment includes building digital infrastructure, creating AI skilling opportunities, establishing a national AI Centre of Excellence, and enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities
Kuala Lumpur, May 2, 2024 – Today,Microsoft announced it will invest US$2.2 billion over the next four years to support Malaysia’s digital transformation – the single largest investment in its 32-year history in the country.
Microsoft’s investment includes:
building cloud and AI infrastructure in Malaysia
creating AI skilling opportunities for an additional 200,000 people in Malaysia
strengthening its partnership with the Government of Malaysia to establish a national AI Centre of Excellence and enhance the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities
supporting the growth of Malaysia’s developer community.
The investment demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to developing Malaysia as a hub for cloud computing and related advanced technologies, including generative AI. This will support the nation’s productivity, competitiveness, resilience, and economic growth.
“We are committed to supporting Malaysia’s AI transformation and ensure it benefits all Malaysians,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “Our investments in digital infrastructure and skilling will help Malaysian businesses, communities, and developers apply the latest technology to drive inclusive economic growth and innovation across the country.”
YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry said, “Microsoft’s 32-year presence in Malaysia showcases a deep partnership built on trust. Indeed, Malaysia’s position as a vibrant tech investment destination is increasingly being recognized by world-recognized names due to our well-established semiconductor ecosystem, underscored by our value proposition that ‘this is where global starts’.”
“Microsoft’s development of essential cloud and AI infrastructure, together with AI skilling opportunities, will significantly enhance Malaysia’s digital capacity and further elevate our position in the global tech landscape. Together with Microsoft, we look forward to creating more opportunities for our SMEs and better-paying jobs for our people, as we ride the AI revolution to fast-track Malaysia’s digitally empowered growth journey.”
“We are honored to collaborate with the government to support their National AI Framework, which enhances the country’s global competitiveness. This strategic emphasis on AI not only boosts economic growth but also promotes inclusivity by bridging the digital divide and ensuring everyone gets a seat at the table, so every Malaysian can thrive in this new digital world. As a result, Malaysia is steadily establishing itself as a regional hub for digital innovation and smart technologies, embodying a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes sustainable development and societal well-being through digital transformation,” said Andrea Della Mattea, President of Microsoft ASEAN.
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella (L) meets with YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya in Malaysia on May 02, 2024. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images for Microsoft)
Expanding Malaysia’s digital capacity to seize AI opportunities
The digital infrastructure investment builds on Microsoft’s Bersama Malaysia (Together with Malaysia) initiative, announced in April 2021, to support inclusive economic growth. This included plans to establish the company’s first datacenter region in the country.
The investment announced today will enable Microsoft to meet the growing demand for cloud computing services in Malaysia. It will also allow Malaysia 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 Asia’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, with Malaysia poised to capture US$115 billion of this amount.
Equipping people with skills to thrive in the AI era
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 business organizations, and communities in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Microsoft’s skilling commitment is expected to benefit 200,000 people in Malaysia by providing:
technical and vocational education and training students with AI skills through the AI TEACH Malaysia program
women with opportunities and support to build careers in cybersecurity via the Ready4AI&Security program
young people with AI fluency training to enhance the employability and work readiness of those from underserved and underrepresented communities
employees of non-profit organizations with knowledge of, and skills in, AI and digital technologies.
The commitment builds on Microsoft’s other recent skilling activities in Malaysia, including its success in providing digital skills to more than 1.53 million Malaysians as part of the Bersama Malaysia initiative.
Partnering with government to strengthen AI and cybersecurity capabilities
Microsoft will continue to partner with the Government of Malaysia to enhance the nation’s digital ecosystem through several initiatives. These include establishing a national AI Centre of Excellence in collaboration with agencies in Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital to drive AI adoption across key industries, while ensuring AI governance and regulatory compliance. They also include pioneering AI adoption in the public sector through projects with:
the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to better analyze economic trajectories of different negotiating partners in international trade negotiations
Cradle, an agency under Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, which is leveraging Azure OpenAI Service to develop a virtual information assistant for its MYStartup platform, the ‘Single Window’ to Malaysia’s startup ecosystem, launched at the KL20 Summit recently
the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Malaysia Energy Commission, which will adopt Copilot for Microsoft 365 to enhance workplace productivity.
Microsoft will also collaborate with the National Cyber Security Agency of Malaysia (NACSA) through the Perisai Siber (Cyber Shield) initiative to enhance the country’s cybersecurity capabilities. The collaboration will focus on promoting security and resilience in the public sector through security assessments and capacity building.
In addition, Microsoft will look to support NACSA in its role as Malaysia’s lead agency for cybersecurity matters, as it formulates the next stage of the nation’s cybersecurity strategy. The two organizations will also explore deeper collaborations in developing cybersecurity skills through initiatives such as Microsoft’s Ready4AI&Security program.
Empowering developers to harness AI’s potential
Microsoft will continue to help foster the growth of Malaysia’s developer community through new initiatives such as AI Odyssey, which is expected to help 2,000 Malaysian developers become AI subject matter experts by learning new skills and earning Microsoft credentials.
Malaysia is a rapidly growing market on GitHub, the Microsoft-owned software development, collaboration, and innovation platform. Almost 680,000 of the nation’s developers used GitHub in 2023, representing 28 percent year-on-year growth.
Furthermore, many Malaysian organizations are boosting their productivity and accelerating innovation using Microsoft’s generative AI-powered solutions. For example:
Agroz is a Malaysian agriculture tech company that designs and operates controlled environment indoor vertical farms in Malaysia with the aim of growing more nutrient-rich food in less space without the use of pesticides and other chemicals. It built the Agroz Copilot for Farmers using Azure OpenAI Service, which helps farmers query Agroz’s farming system using their natural language or images and get recommendations on what daily tasks they should do to improve crop productivity and farm efficiency.
Doctor2U, one of Malaysia’s leading healthcare super apps, is using GitHub Copilot to expedite development, with tasks that previously took two hours now being completed in 30 minutes. In addition, the implementation of Azure AI Search has sped up the record retrieval process, reducing the time it takes to return results from a multi-million patient data set from one minute to one second.
Pandai helps more than 800,000 students learn, practice, and improve their academic performance via an app. It recently deployed a personalized study bot called Pbot using Azure OpenAI Service, which monitors students’ progress and provides academic support. Pandai’s aim is for the bot to be a “personal friend and tutor” in each student’s educational experience.
PETRONAS, Malaysia’s fully integrated global energy provider, is leading the AI wave by transforming the future of its global workforce through the adoption of Copilot for Microsoft 365 to enhance employee productivity and creativity. The company is also leveraging Azure OpenAI Service to create AI-powered solutions that help improve operational efficiency, reliability, and employee safety.
Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA), the main housing agency under Malaysia’s Ministry of Housing and Local Government, has deployed Copilot for Microsoft 365 across its information technology, human resources, finance, and legal departments. PR1MA has already seen a 30 percent reduction in time spent on routine administrative tasks, allowing employees to focus more on strategic initiatives and value-adding activities.
Prudential, a leading life and health insurer in Malaysia, has embedded an in-house AI tool in its call center using Azure OpenAI Service. The tool reduces the time it takes for Prudential’s servicing team to gather product information for agents from four minutes to less than 30 seconds, allowing them to respond to customers faster. The company anticipates expanding the tool for additional use cases soon.
To learn more about Satya Nadella’s visit and how Microsoft is empowering organizations in the ASEAN region with AI, visit news.microsoft.com/malaysia-visit-2024.
Leadership statements
YB Rafizi Ramli, Minister of Economy
“The advent of ChatGPT created a new vertical in the startup world. As more companies embrace the power of AI, having the right digital infrastructure in Malaysia is key to future-proofing our nation’s economy. Microsoft’s investment will help accelerate the adoption of generative AI, building a pipeline of AI-driven startups, and benefitting our economy through increased productivity and higher wages.”
YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital
“As a nation, we are focused on accelerating digitalization and fostering a culture of innovation alongside technological advancement to level the playing field for all Malaysians to prosper in an inclusive digital economy. Microsoft’s investment is a significant step in our journey towards becoming a digitally inclusive society. It underscores the importance of partnership in driving nationwide digital transformation and reinforces our commitment to equipping Malaysians with the infrastructure, advanced tools, and skills they need to thrive in the digital age.”
YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications
“Microsoft’s significant investment in Malaysia recognises and supports the government’s efforts in building an inclusive digital ecosystem for the country. We are excited to continue partnering with technology leaders like Microsoft to foster a space where Malaysians can seamlessly connect, learn, and benefit from our nation’s digital transformation.”
YB Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation
“Today’s investment by Microsoft exemplifies a dynamic public-private partnership aimed at enhancing the socio-economic status and quality of life in Malaysian communities. As we embrace AI’s potential, we commend Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI, which aligns with our vision for advancing technology in Malaysia responsibly and inclusively.”
Laurence Si, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia
“With rising demand for Cloud and AI, Microsoft’s investment announced today underscores our commitment to building a robust digital ecosystem in the country. From driving more innovations born in Malaysia, to fostering an ecosystem of skilled talents and enhancing cybersecurity capabilities for Malaysian organizations, we are dedicated to our role as a trusted technology partner to the nation.”
Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
“We are excited to deepen our partnership with Microsoft as they strengthen their commitment by establishing a cloud and AI infrastructure and supporting our vibrant developer community in Malaysia. This strategic collaboration underscores our dedication to innovation and regional industry growth. By leveraging Microsoft’s expertise, we aim to accelerate economic development, create jobs, and enhance industry competitiveness through digital transformation. We believe we can achieve more together and further advance our partnership. This investment not only reinforces Malaysia’s position as a leading digital hub but also marks a promising start in attracting more companies to embark on this digital journey with us, promoting inclusive growth and prosperity nationwide.”
Ir. Dr. Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, Chief Executive Officer, National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA)
“Microsoft’s collaboration with NACSA on “Perisai Siber” is pivotal as one of our strategic partnerships with industry players in establishing a secure digital infrastructure for our nation. Together, our goal is to bolster security and resilience, beginning with the public sector, to ultimately strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities.”
Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
“Microsoft’s commitment to Malaysia demonstrates confidence in our nation’s digital future. Through this investment in cloud and AI infrastructure, local organizations can tap into more opportunities to upscale and innovate, further propelling Malaysia’s aspirations for regional leadership in the digital economy.”
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.
With increased adoption of cryptocurrencies and proliferation in the online gaming industry, Bitcoin casinos are becoming increasingly common. Bitcoin, being one of the alternative currencies, may offer immense advantages in security, anonymity, and speed of every transaction, from appealing to new and seasoned players. The following article will outline the main benefits of using Bitcoin for online casino betting and will describe in detail how this cryptocurrency enhances gaming.
For those interested in exploring the benefits of Bitcoin gaming, theonlinecasinos offers a carefully curated list of reliable Bitcoin casinos. Their guide helps players find the best options available, ensuring a seamless, secure, and rewarding gaming experience.
1. Speed of Transaction
The main benefit linked to the use of Bitcoin in online casino betting is that it possesses high transaction speed. Unlike the bank transfers and card payments, which take several hours or even days, Bitcoin transactions take just minutes.
Why does this matter?
Fast transactions equal the ability for players to fund their accounts straight away with no need for confirmation. Since some gamers just want to get started immediately, or just simply cash out and go, this can come pretty in handy. While most bank transfers involve verification by means of a financial intermediary that is likely to be slow, Bitcoin involves a decentralized network of computers handling processing without any interference from an intermediary.
2. Savings on Fees
Deposits and withdrawals have made it possible for players to cut down or totally eliminate fees imposed by financial institutions through Bitcoin. Banks, credit organizations, and networks of all kinds impose a fee on any transaction, but especially international ones. Due to the fact that this is a network where users make transactions directly, the network fees for Bitcoin are minimal.
How Does This Affect Players?
The lower fees translate to savings that the player will make every time a transfer is made. There are some online casinos that absorb even this negligible Bitcoin network fee; thus, this makes deposits and withdrawals absolutely free for players. To players usually performing lots of transactions or large quantities, this difference in fees may prove critical.
3. Improved Security and Data Protection
Bitcoin uses blockchain technology, one of the most secure and transparent systems in the world. All the transactions involved in blockchain are encrypted; hence, fraud and hacking have almost nil chances of being performed. Furthermore, there is no necessity for sharing personal data while using Bitcoin for online betting as your card number or bank details will not come into play.
Anonymity and Privacy Protection
In the case of Bitcoin, players can preserve anonymity, since for a transaction, one needs only a Bitcoin address. Hence, Bitcoin casinos are true Catch-22 for those who value privacy in financial operations and want to avoid unnecessary checks from banks and other institutions.
4. Fewer Restrictions and Regulations
A lot of countries ban gambling or strictly regulate any operations including online casino transactions. This may raise serious barriers for players to access their favorite platforms or even to get accounts suspended. Bitcoin transactions do not go through the banking system and therefore are not regulated like traditional money. This means greater freedom for users.
Benefits to International Players
For players whose countries have restricted gambling, Bitcoin is an easy way around any legal restrictions. For people in countries with unfinished developed banking or those, due to which one can’t access every type of payment, Bitcoin casinos are a great way to access different kinds of bets.
5. Bonuses and Special Offers for Bitcoin Users
Most online casinos welcome the use of Bitcoin by giving bonuses for cryptocurrency choices. In many cases, higher welcome bonuses, cashback on deposits, free spins within the slot machines, and others are common.
How Does This Benefit Players?
The Bitcoin bonus can increase the player’s budget very much and bring extra value to players. Online casinos are happy to see this cryptocurrency, as it cuts some transaction processing costs for them, either. Because of that, promotion activities targeting depositors and withdrawers of Bitcoins can be regularly found.
6. Bitcoin for Gaming Bankroll Management
Being a cryptocurrency, Bitcoin allows players to have flexible banking of their bankroll. Many users keep their winnings in the form of Bitcoins, since it can surge in price. This adds the opportunity to earn extra income from its volatility when Bitcoin prices surge upwards.
Example of Bankroll Management
Using Bitcoin Many players keep their winnings in Bitcoin, due to the fact that its price might go up. In this case, casino winnings create passive income. But one should keep in mind that Bitcoin’s price also goes down, so this strategy is to be used with care.
Financial independence is an important component of success. To avoid wasting everything, you need to be able to save and invest. Thanks to this, it will be possible to create a financial cushion. You can get additional income with the help of brokers. Every adult can register on the Trade-X website and start trading activity. The latter is based on the conclusion of transactions for the purchase and sale of material values, currency, contacts and shares of well-known companies. As reviews show, the broker sets a minimum commission and charges the trader a certain amount after a successful profit. With the right approach and the ability to analyze data, the trader receives a tangible profit from his deals.
Let’s consider what the trader’s work is and read the real comments of Trade-X clients.
Recommendations and reviews about Trade-X
Choosing a source of income, many people monitor websites and look for what they write about the broker in reviews. After all, safety on the Internet, especially when entering your personal data and bank cards is very important. Newcomers who are just entering the market are especially concerned. It is known that the Trade-X company is officially registered in London and acts according to the legislation. It carries out work with an exchange expert and a hedge fund, has more than 200 assets. Trading conditions, including commissions and spreads, are transparent, which does not allow the broker to change them in its favor.
Participants of Medium, Linkedin, Reddit platforms often write good reviews that no fraudulent schemes were observed on the sites, and the support service always responded quickly to questions and any difficulties, if they arose. The broker company has an arsenal of trading tools, signals and training materials, where everyone can understand the nuances of the profession for free. The reviews also say that the terminals work well without delays, price movements are displayed on the charts. By the way, you can monitor the status of the launched order both from your computer and from your phone by installing the Trade-X broker application.
Features of cooperation with the provider of trading platforms
The provider offers trading platforms with access to many financial instruments. It is a kind of analytical center with access points to currencies.
The following are the features of operations:
Ease of management of the personal account and the site as a whole for novice depositors and professionals.
Analysis tools: different timeframes, indicators and analytical tools, which simplifies predicting and planning transactions.
Minimal costs. Trade-X brokers provide competitive spreads on major assets, as well as no commissions for certain types of accounts, which can be beneficial for traders with frequent trades.
24/7 market access: support for 24/7 trading, especially for cryptocurrencies and some international markets.
Margin trading and leverage: Trade-X offers leverage to help increase trade volume, although it also increases risk.
Automation and trading robots: integration with trading robots and algorithmic systems is supported, allowing for automated trades.
Security: state-of-the-art technology to protect funds and data, such as encryption and two-factor authentication.
Training and support: video tutorials, personalized mentoring, group webinars, literature.
Access to the platforms is open to adults who have completed the registration and document verification process. The minimum deposit is 500 dollars. After depositing this amount, you can start investing in any asset. You can follow the course of events by connecting to mobile Internet from anywhere in the city and even in the country. They write in the reviews that it is very convenient. The international resource Trade-X operates in 197 countries, so entry is free for those wishing to invest in the most popular resources. In case of difficulties with authorization, you can use the site mirror or connect VPN services.
What to trade on Trade-X site
More than 200 assets are presented on the site. It is easy to get confused when choosing from such an arsenal. However, experienced participants of the investment market recommend choosing currency pairs. In any case, it is necessary to be aware of possible rate drops or growth. You can learn this from the news, the current chart and your observations.
The most common trading options on the Trade-X website:
Currency pairs, which are the ratio of the prices of two currencies.
Resources: gas, oil, ores, metals.
Stocks: a share of ownership in a company.
Futures: a contract on future purchase.
Trading on the stock exchange for beginners most often starts with currency pairs – they seem more familiar, clear and predictable. It is not difficult to calculate the dynamics of quotations with the large availability of tools and comprehensive assistance from the administration. Visual representation of price movements is significant for a trader, and the latest news in the world economy provides an additional stimulus for correct calculation of ask and bid.
Trade-X services have long been considered the gold standard of the industry. Since its foundation, the online broker has not stopped its development even for a day or an hour. Its services are becoming more and more technological and interesting for users. This allows to get a significant increase in the client base. Positive reviews allowed the company to stand out among other trading platforms, and assigning a personal manager to you will allow you to feel more confident if you are just at the start of trading.
NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of Tesla soared Wednesday as investors bet that the electric vehicle maker and its CEO Elon Musk will benefit from Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Tesla stands to make significant gains under a Trump administration with the threat of diminished subsidies for alternative energy and electric vehicles doing the most harm to smaller competitors. Trump’s plans for extensive tariffs on Chinese imports make it less likely that Chinese EVs will be sold in bulk in the U.S. anytime soon.
“Tesla has the scale and scope that is unmatched,” said Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, in a note to investors. “This dynamic could give Musk and Tesla a clear competitive advantage in a non-EV subsidy environment, coupled by likely higher China tariffs that would continue to push away cheaper Chinese EV players.”
Tesla shares jumped 14.8% Wednesday while shares of rival electric vehicle makers tumbled. Nio, based in Shanghai, fell 5.3%. Shares of electric truck maker Rivian dropped 8.3% and Lucid Group fell 5.3%.
Tesla dominates sales of electric vehicles in the U.S, with 48.9% in market share through the middle of 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Subsidies for clean energy are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. It included tax credits for manufacturing, along with tax credits for consumers of electric vehicles.
Musk was one of Trump’s biggest donors, spending at least $119 million mobilizing Trump’s supporters to back the Republican nominee. He also pledged to give away $1 million a day to voters signing a petition for his political action committee.
In some ways, it has been a rocky year for Tesla, with sales and profit declining through the first half of the year. Profit did rise 17.3% in the third quarter.
The U.S. opened an investigation into the company’s “Full Self-Driving” system after reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions, including one that killed a pedestrian. The investigation covers roughly 2.4 million Teslas from the 2016 through 2024 model years.
And investors sent company shares tumbling last month after Tesla unveiled its long-awaited robotaxi at a Hollywood studio Thursday night, seeing not much progress at Tesla on autonomous vehicles while other companies have been making notable progress.
