Microsoft is Bringing AI Skilling Opportunities to Southeast Asia in 2025
With artificial intelligence taking over the digital landscape, technology giant Microsoft is looking to build AI-ready workforces in Southeast Asia.
Microsoft has pledged to train 2.5 million people across member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which include the Philippines. The skilling initiatives are aimed at targeting four areas: building an AI-ready workforce; bridging the cybersecurity talent gap; enhancing developers’ AI skills; and empowering nonprofit organizations to maximize their social impact. The goal is to jumpstart the training by next year.
According to Microsoft, its commitment aligns with the program, ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, developed by member states to make the region a leading digital community and economic bloc.
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“What’s truly exciting is the innovation mindset already prevalent in ASEAN,” Andrea Della Mattea, President of ASEAN at Microsoft, said. “Investing in AI skills is investing in a future where economic growth is inclusive. [….] With a robust pool of talent skilled in disruptive technologies, ASEAN is well positioned for the global tech race.”
What to expect from the AI, cybersecurity training
Maximizing the use of technology can be quite challenging, especially for the older generation, with the constant emergence of new and upgraded tools. Microsoft is targeting to address this by strengthening vocational education systems across the region, side by side with the ASEAN Foundation and education ministries and departments. About 644,000 students will be trained with AI skills in Malaysia and Indonesia, according to the tech company. A total of 100,000 underserved youths and job seekers in the AI, data, and security fields will also receive education.
In Thailand, training tailored specifically for those involved in tourism businesses is set to benefit 100,000 young entrepreneurs. Microsoft will, likewise, expand its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme Asia Pacific in Indonesia to include Malaysia and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Microsoft will provide AI and cybersecurity training to a total of one million learners from kindergarten to grade 12 under the Department of Education (DepEd). Besides these students, around 100,000 female Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) learners will be equipped with the same skillsets.
The training is not only for students and learners, but more importantly, for developers, too. With the launch of its Asia AI Odyssey campaign, Microsoft is looking to equip 30,000 of these trailblazers in the region. ASEAN has seven million AI developers, to date.
“We appreciate Microsoft’s commitment to upskilling ASEAN youth in AI,” Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, said. “By fostering a sustainable digital talent ecosystem, it will contribute significantly to our regional development.”
More than just riding the AI revolution, another thing that needs more strengthening in the region is cybersecurity. Globally, the Asia-Pacific is deemed to have the largest skills gap in that area, with a shortfall of 2.7 million people as of 2023. This might pose a bigger threat, especially with the imminence of cyber attacks.
For Microsoft’s part, its Ready4AI&Security program, which falls under the same initiative, will provide access to its security training and certifications. This program is set to benefit 15,000 young people in Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly women hoping to build careers in cybersecurity.
First regional data center in Thailand
Even more exciting news: Southeast Asia will have its first Microsoft-run AI data center. The new cloud and AI infrastructure, to rise in Thailand, will support the developer community and provide skilling opportunities for over 100,000 people, Microsoft said.
The company chose Thailand for its data center due to its "potential" for a digital-first, AI-driven future, following rising cloud computing demand from local enterprises and organizations.
“Our new data center region—along with the investments we are making in cloud and AI infrastructure, as well as AI skilling—build on our long-standing commitment to the country, and will help Thai organizations across the public and private sector drive new impact and growth,” Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, said.
The new data center is set to expand Microsoft’s hyperscale cloud services, providing “enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and compliance with data residency and privacy standards.” These are expected to be pivotal in paving the way for more significant economic and productivity opportunities.
Earlier, the folks at global management consulting firm Kearney projected AI could contribute nearly $1 trillion to Southeast Asia’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
How is AI faring in the Philippines, anyway?
Microsoft Philippines observes growing AI adoption in the country, particularly led by the banking and financial services industry among companies. These firms are identified as the most technologically sophisticated and have the largest customer base. For the tech giant, the Philippines is gradually embracing AI.
"The peak of the fear, I would say, was in the first [six] months of 2023. When you got to the second half of 2023 and now, I think there’s this acceptance," Microsoft Philippines CEO Peter Maquera said in an interview. "I think there’s this acceleration. Let’s keep up because this is an opportunity for us, just like anyone else.”
A 2023 study from the International Data Corporation showed the Philippines is among the slowest of all Asia-Pacific countries to adopt AI for business and consumer transactions, ranking 12th among 14 economies in Asia. The report, however, noted that companies in the region have begun exploring the opportunities and risks of utilizing the new technology — with two in every three firms already allocating funds for the integration of AI in their daily operations.
