Microsoft through its “Reimagine Taiwan” initiative plans to establish its first cloud datacenter region on the island, and also has earmarked a significant investment in local talent and development to provide digital skilling for over 200,000 locals by 2024.
In addition, Microsoft is growing its Taiwan Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure engineering group, which will establish Microsoft Taiwan as a hub in Asia for innovation in designing and building advanced cloud software and hardware infrastructure spanning AI, IoT and edge solutions.
The new investment adds to Microsoft’s significant and recent investments in Taiwan, including the IoT Innovation Center, AI Research and Development Center, Startup Accelerator and the IoT Center of Excellence.
Further, Microsoft’s ambitious new skilling plan will help to cultivate and groom tech talent, increasing future employability opportunities for the people of Taiwan by providing digital skills acquisition programs for youth, non-profits, startups and enterprises.
This builds on Microsoft’s investment in local skilling programs for students, including internship programs, STEM Education, and Coding Angels. Microsoft will continue working with non-profit organizations including the Build the Future, Eden Social Welfare Associate, Taipei Orphan Foundation and Taiwan Fund for Children and Families to reskill social workers.
In collaboration with leading universities, Microsoft plans to upskill business leaders, entrepreneurs, and C-level executives through the AI Business School program. Microsoft is also working with industry associations to launch a series of re-skilling workshops for women, including mothers returning to the workplace.
“With Taiwan’s expertise in hardware manufacturing and the new datacenter region, we look forward to greater transformation, advancing what is possible with 5G, AI and IoT capabilities spanning the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge,” said Jean-Phillippe Courtois, president of Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations.
Microsoft will help customers to store data at rest in Taiwan and over 90 compliance certifications to meet a broad range of industry and regulatory entity standards, under Taiwan’s executive branch of government.
Leading local companies across sectors have worked closely with Microsoft to create customised solutions for their customers. These include Acer, ASUS, Chunghwa Telecom, Delta Electronics, FarEasTone Telecommunications, TECO Eletric & Machinery, Trend Micro, Taiwan Mobile and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.