On Tuesday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. During the visit, he said that Microsoft aims to invest USD 1.7 billion in the development of cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia.

This investment will last for four years. Microsoft also plans to train 2.5 million people in Southeast Asia in AI skills, including 840,000 Indonesian citizens.

Currently, Microsoft CEO is on a tour of three countries in Southeast Asia. Once upon a time, company executives neglected this region, focusing on the markets of India and China. Today, it is one of the biggest battlegrounds for tech giants and start-ups from China and the US. Companies are racing to invest in the region to lure the young and tech-savvy population to their side.

During his visit, Nadella noted that the development of AI will contribute to GDP growth. Even in Indonesia, where, according to his forecasts, 10%-12% additional growth can be expected.

In turn, Indonesia has offered Microsoft to use the island of Bali and the new capital of Nusantara as potential locations for research and data centres. The government also announced that it will consider legalising dual citizenship to stop the outflow of talented employees from the country.