KUALA LUMPUR: Google has lauded Malaysia's strategy for constructing artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, with the tech giant investing US$2bil (RM8.93bil) in the country.
Google's vice-president of government affairs and public policy, Karan Bhatia, said at the recent APEC Summit in Peru that this approach to infrastructure development led to Google's US$2bil investment in a Malaysian data centre.
In May 2024, Google announced a US$2bil investment in Malaysia. This includes the establishment of its first data centre in the country and a Google Cloud region to meet the growing global and local demand for cloud services, as well as AI literacy programmes for students and educators. This investment is projected to create an economic impact of over US$3.2bil (RM14.29bil) and generate 26,500 jobs by 2030.
Meanwhile, Microsoft's vice-president of data and AI, Zia Mansoor, commended Malaysia's National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap.
"It's very comprehensive. It's examining the AI infrastructure and upskilling. How are you training all Malaysians in AI technology?" he asked at the APEC CEO Summit Peru 2024.
Mansoor also noted the roadmap's establishment of a government AI centre of excellence where the government utilises AI technology.
"To me, these are such crucial conditions," he added.
On Nov 15, Anwar held discussions with Google in Peru's capital, focusing on data centres and AI. He emphasised the need for proper attention to strengthening the AI and data centre ecosystems, especially regarding preventing data leakage and exploitation with malicious intent.
Anwar also said that Malaysia is prepared to align its policies to meet new demands and ever-evolving industries as part of a multi-pronged approach to continually attract high-value investments. – Bernama
