(Bloomberg) — Google has committed to investing $2 billion in Malaysia, including its first data center in the region and its Google Cloud initiative.
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Alphabet’s Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat said in a statement that the pledge marks Google’s largest investment plan in the Southeast Asian country.
Big U.S. technology companies have stepped up investment in Southeast Asia in recent months, pledging billions of dollars in search of new growth opportunities, and the chief executives of Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia have all visited the region to draw up strategic plans and meet with leaders.
Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella said this month that the company would invest $2.2 billion in Malaysia, adding similar investments in Indonesia and Thailand. Microsoft and Google are in a fierce battle for leadership in artificial intelligence services, as they try to get customers to adopt their products in the fast-growing sector.
In addition to developing its cloud computing services, Google said it would also support AI literacy programs for students and educators.
Read more: Tech giants start treating Southeast Asia as the next big thing
(An update on the background of technology investments in the region)
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