Tariq Shallwani

Amazon plans to invest US$9 billion in expanding its cloud computing infrastructure in Singapore over the next four years, doubling its previous investment in the country. This move aims to meet the increasing demand for cloud services and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence. AWS sees Southeast Asia as a strategic market for growth, diversifying away from China and reducing geopolitical risks. With this investment, AWS's total spending outside the US this year reaches about $35 billion, targeting markets like Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. The announcement aligns with AWS's projected milestone of surpassing $100 billion in annual sales, driven by corporate technology modernization and AI services demand. Singapore, a hub for US businesses in Asia, is seen as a gateway to the broader Southeast Asia region, expected to grow rapidly. Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc., among other US companies, have established a presence in Singapore, further solidifying its status as a regional hub. As competition intensifies, Microsoft, Amazon's primary cloud rival, is also ramping up investments across Southeast Asia. #Growth #Cloud #DataCentre #AI #Investment #Innovation #Transformation #Business #Singapore I Bloomberg News I Olivia Poh I Matt Day

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Op-Ed: Microsoft's decision to invest in Indonesia underscores a broader trend of global investors recognising the immense unrealised potential of one of the Asia's fastest-growing and dynamic economies. This surge of investor interest is not happenstance but a direct result of Indonesia's visionary leadership during the Jokowi era, which has been marked by bold economic reforms, a resolute focus on propelling Indonesia into the digital age, and has transformed Indonesia into a beacon of stability and opportunity in the region, attracting a flurry of investments from around the globe. Crucially, Indonesia's proactive and pragmatic foreign policy under Jokowi has played a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for foreign investors. By actively courting partnerships and welcoming international investments, Indonesia has solidified its position as a key player in the global economic landscape. As the nation transitions to a new administration under Prabowo, the momentum of progress built over the past decade must be sustained and amplified. The incoming leadership is poised to inherit a legacy of economic prosperity and regional influence, setting the stage for continued growth and development. Yet, amidst the backdrop of an increasingly uncertain global geopolitical landscape, Indonesia faces the challenge of strategic positioning. The next government must navigate deftly, preserving Indonesia's economic gains while safeguarding against potential vulnerabilities in an unpredictable world order. In this pivotal moment, Indonesia stands at the cusp of unprecedented opportunities and challenges. It is imperative that future leaders and governments uphold the principles of prudent governance, forward-thinking policies, and strategic diplomacy to steer Indonesia towards a future of sustained prosperity and global prominence.

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🚀 Major Cloud Investments in Southeast Asia! 🌏 Exciting news as Amazon Web Services (AWS) announces a massive $9 billion investment to expand its cloud infrastructure in Singapore. This strategic move underscores the immense potential and rapid digital growth in Southeast Asia, highlighting the region's importance in the global tech landscape. AWS plans to enhance their services, ensuring more robust, scalable solutions for businesses across the region. https://lnkd.in/gN_KQ8wd This announcement is part of a larger trend among top tech giants recognizing and bolstering their presence in Southeast Asia. Similarly, Microsoft has recently revealed plans to establish its first data centre in Thailand, committing to a significant digital transformation in the country. This facility aims to empower businesses with better access to digital tools and cloud services, further fueling the region's digital economy. https://lnkd.in/gNGbEYyk. These investments not only enhance cloud service capabilities but also promise substantial economic benefits and technological advancements for the local ecosystems. As we witness these giants expand their footprint, it's clear that Southeast Asia is a hotbed for digital innovation and a critical hub in the global network. #CloudComputing #DigitalTransformation #AWS #Microsoft #TechNews #Innovation #ASEAN Amazon Web Services (AWS) Microsoft

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Jasper Hopkins from AvePoint Lye King Tho from IBM and Jin Yean Tan from Exabeam having a lighter moment while discussing at the Data and AI panel at Tech Data APAC​ High Growth Forum 2024 AI readiness and data governance to determine which users should be given copilot licenses? Under/over utilisation of licenses etc. AI decisions can’t yet be trusted but can be used to augment/enrich SOC analyst. Before Going live with AI, read the 10 voluntary AI guardrail guidelines.

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Microsoft announced on Thursday plans to invest US$2.2 billion over four years to build cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities in Malaysia as the world's largest company looks to train 2.5 million people in AI in Southeast Asia by next year. It is the tech giant's largest investment since setting up operations in Malaysia 32 years ago, and the largest investment announced during chief executive Satya Nadella whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia this week. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement that Microsoft's announcement was proof there is confidence in the country's "strong economic fundamentals, clear policies" and its attraction as an investor-friendly and politically stable investment destination. Observers see Microsoft's decision as a natural choice given earlier investments in AI by NVIDIA and a collaborative deal on AI training between Google and Malaysia's government, and also the foray by Amazon Web Services (AWS) into cloud computing in Malaysia. Many thanks to Halmie Azrie Abdul Halim of Vriens & Partners for the quick take on the development. https://lnkd.in/gWM_Ew_S

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We’re proud to be recognised by AWS as their ASEAN Global Software Partner of the Year 🍾 🎉 This award is a testament to our commitment to helping customers innovate through intelligent technologies, and intuitive user experiences. Check out my latest blog for more details on how MongoDB is demystifying AI and building next-gen apps with industry leaders like AWS through the recently launched MongoDB AI Applications Program (MAAP). #MongoDB #AI #AWS

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I’m delighted to share the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region is now open, representing our first AWS Region in Malaysia, our 3rd in ASEAN, and our 34th AWS Region globally. This investment will contribute an estimated $12.1B to Malaysia’s GDP, and represents a $6.2B investment from AWS in the country through 2038. With this new region, customers and partners across ASEAN can now choose where they can store their data with the same robust security standards, high availability, and fault-tolerant design as our other AWS Regions around the globe. AWS Training & Certification teams have already trained more than 100,000 people in cloud skills since 2017 in Malaysia alone, contributing to upskilling our customer, partner, and developer communities in the latest AI and generative AI advancements—and we are not done yet. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Malaysia in my current role at AWS, including my most recent visit in June 2023, when I connected with the local AWS Malaysia team, met with customers, and presented at the inaugural Energy Asia Week (the largest energy conference in the Asia Pacific Region). The excitement on the ground was palpable, and I was inspired by the ongoing innovation customers, such as PETRONAS, are driving with AWS Cloud technology. The launch of the Malaysia Region is a huge milestone towards AWS’ global expansion and I can't wait to see the digital transformation it enables for our customers and partners across ASEAN. #AWS #GlobalExpansion #Cloud #Malaysia #AsiaPacific #ASEAN https://lnkd.in/gFwbEAbV

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Omdia's Cloud & Data Center team provides a monthly snapshot of this market's key developments. In May, they concluded that "The Data Center Market is Red Hot in 2024".  This was echoed during the many conversations at ATxSG 2024 in Singapore last week. AI positively impacts data center market performance. Server revenue growth is off the chart in 2024, at 59% (up from $122.5B in 2023). Cooling revenue is on track to grow 24-26% in 2024, surpassing $9.5B (up from $7.7B in 2023). However, we must add a cautionary note. Power availability concerns, the lack of physical infrastructure readiness, and GPU supply constraints might prevent even ambitious tech companies from deploying hundreds of thousands of GPUs by the end of 2024. Please click on the link below to read more: https://lnkd.in/dN-S2yj7 Please use this link to join our newsletter distribution list: https://lnkd.in/dCZavfN6 Vlad Galabov Siraj Aziz Shen W. Manoj Sukumaran Edwin Lin Elaine Hutton Daniel Khoo Adam Etherington Adam Danckert Karthik Jayakumar Corcin Tan Philip Yuen Michelle Yang Cathy Tien Tom Zheng David Lu Mike Tao Johnny Xie Low Chiew Ling

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There's a cloud revolution sweeping through Southeast Asia. With Google's recent $1 billion investment in Thailand's cloud infrastructure signaling an increasing appetite for cloud services in Southeast Asia, it's fascinating to see how this trend will shape future conversations surrounding cloud data management and growing adoption of AI. Read more here.

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Great news for SMEs in Singapore! The government is rolling out new initiatives to support the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This includes a partnership with Microsoft to provide AI assistant technology and subsidies, as well as a new program at institutes of higher learning to develop AI-enabled solutions specifically for SMEs. These initiatives aim to boost productivity and innovation among SMEs in Singapore, and position the country as a leader in AI adoption. #AI #Singapore #SMEs #machinelearning https://lnkd.in/dzsVPgQk

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This week, I participated in two enlightening panel discussions that highlighted a crucial aspect often overlooked in AI adoption: the human factor. AI Adoption: Beyond the Technology At Singapore Design Week and AWS' Public Sector Day, discussions reinforced a critical insight: “successful AI implementation hinges on effective change management”. Change Management: The Linchpin of AI Rollouts 1. Addressing the Human Element While AI capabilities are expanding rapidly, the fundamentals of technology project rollouts remain unchanged. At the core is the human element – the end-users, stakeholders, and workforce impacted by AI systems. 2. Overcoming Resistance and Fear Change management strategies are crucial in addressing the impact from AI adoption in order to effectively achieve the outcome. Clear communication, training, and gradual implementation can ease the transition and build trust. 3. Aligning AI with Organizational Goals Effective change management ensures AI initiatives align with existing organizational goals and culture and helps evolve it to embrace AI-driven innovations. Key Strategies for Successful AI Implementation - Stakeholder Engagement: Involve key stakeholders throughout the process. - Comprehensive Training Programs: Upskill employees to work alongside AI systems. - Clear Communication: Maintain transparency about goals, benefits, and challenges. Which would require thoughts on measurements of success. - Phased Implementation: Allow for adjustments and learning along the way. - Continuous Feedback Loop: Establish mechanisms for ongoing improvement. The Unchanging Fundamentals While AI is revolutionary, core principles of successful tech rollouts remain constant: - User-centric design - Thorough testing - Robust project management - Effective change management By recognizing these fundamentals and emphasizing change management, organizations can significantly increase their chances of successful AI adoption. As we navigate the AI revolution, we must remember to focus not only on the technology but also on the people who will use and be affected by it. I would like to thank Sengmeng and the Nanyang Polytechnic team for inviting me to the Singapore Design Week. Also thanking Thoughtworks’ Chief AI Research Shayan Mohanty and Leslie Teo, Senior Director of Products from AI Singapore for being part of the panel at Public Sector Day. #ArtificialIntelligence #ChangeManagement #AIImplementation #AWS #GenerativeAI

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In a world where security threats are evolving, DSO National Laboratories is ensuring Singapore stays ahead of the curve. With 1,600 scientists and engineers working across land, sea, air, and cyberspace, their mission is clear: protect the nation and pioneer cutting-edge research. But as DSO grew, so did its IT needs. To support its expanding operations, DSO embarked on a digital transformation journey, turning to ServiceNow for secure and efficient IT service management (ITSM). With legacy systems slowing them down, the introduction of ServiceNow in 2022 allowed DSO’s teams to access a self-service catalog, rapidly resolve IT tickets, and streamline processes. Ticket resolution times improved dramatically, with reports that once took 7 hours now generated in just 30 minutes—saving over 92% of time! This transformation freed up DSO’s scientists and engineers to focus on high-priority tasks, enhancing productivity and keeping security at the forefront. Phase two of the rollout will further integrate AI-powered tools and expand into other business functions like HR, solidifying DSO’s commitment to efficiency and innovation. #DigitalTransformation #CyberSecurity #Innovation #ServiceNow https://lnkd.in/duF3RMsP

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The future of AI is Open-source to deliver tangible #businessvalue to organizations. That is the message from Bobby Leibrock CFO at #RedHat #aivalue #roi #valueconsulting

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Today, Microsoft has announced its largest investment of US$2.2 billion in Malaysia's digital transformation in its 32-year history in the country. The investment will take place over the next four years. Microsoft's investment includes building cloud and AI infrastructure in Malaysia, creating AI skilling opportunities for an additional 200,000 people, strengthening its partnership with the Government of Malaysia to establish a national AI Centre of Excellence, and enhancing the nation's cybersecurity capabilities. The investment will also support the growth of Malaysia's developer community. This investment is a significant step towards driving digital transformation and economic recovery in Malaysia. #Microsoft #DigitalTransformation #AI #CloudComputing

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I am thrilled to share that today we launched our AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region, a MYR 29.2 billion investment through to 2038 that is expected to contribute MYR 57.3 billion to Malaysia’s GDP and thousands of jobs over the same period. The 3 Availability Zones underpinning the Region create the most resilient, secure, scalable, fully data resident commercial cloud with the broadest set of services available today. The AWS infrastructure and services will accelerate digitalization across the country, stimulating innovation, competitiveness, digital inclusion, sustainability, and economic growth. The Region will enable Malaysia organizations to meet the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) goals, and advance the country’s Malaysia MADANI vision to build a highly skilled, innovative, prosperous, and sustainable economy. #AWSuntukMalaysia, #AWS Jaime Valles, Jeff Johnson, Peter Murray, Julian Lau, Kevin Kwan, Kirsten Gilbertson, Vikram Rao, Gunish Chawla, Dawn Chin, David Levy, Carl Ward, Jeffrey Kratz, Geeta Chaudhary, Annabel Lee, Mistika Idris, Elsie Tan, Chun Wei Wu, Seng Heng C. https://lnkd.in/gZJBAAWw

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90% of successful cyberattacks start through phishing emails*. Illuminating statistic to reveal what may be the weak(est) links in the chain. At Govware #TechTalk series, I will be unpacking some of these underlying weaknesses attackers are targeting, particularly on Mobile which has become our primary work platform for most. And how some mobile technologies can be deployed to safeguard our Mobile Workforce. Join me and my colleagues at GovWare today as we discuss the pertinent topics our landscape today #govware #cybersecurity #singtel #phishing *cloudflare phishing report 2023

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