Alibaba Cloud is ramping up its infrastructure investments across Southeast Asia, with plans to open new data centres in Malaysia and the Philippines, according to the South China Morning Post.
In its latest announcement, the company revealed it has launched a third data centre in Malaysia and will open a second facility in the Philippines by October. These developments build on earlier expansion efforts this year in Thailand, Mexico, and South Korea.
The SCMP also reports that Alibaba is making a bold bet on artificial intelligence, pledging at least US$53 billion towards AI infrastructure over the next three years.
Southeast Asia has emerged as a critical arena for China’s tech giants, especially amid intensifying US-China competition in AI. Alibaba’s renewed push in the region follows its decision to shut down data centres in Sydney and Mumbai last year.
The company has also unveiled its first AI Global Competency Centre (AIGCC) in Singapore, a multifunctional hub designed to accelerate AI adoption by supporting enterprises of all sizes and helping meet the global demand for AI talent.
“Over the past decade, Singapore has been both an innovation centre and a gateway to the region’s digital economy,” Selina Yuan, president of international business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, said in a statement. “We reaffirm our commitment to empowering businesses of all sizes and verticals while advancing cutting-edge AI innovations and driving sustainable digital transformation in Singapore for years to come.”
According to Alibaba, the AIGCC aims to assist more than 5,000 businesses and 100,000 developers in creating next-generation AI solutions.
In addition, the company announced plans for an AI innovation lab that will provide token credits, curated datasets, and personalised support tailored to real-world applications and industry-specific needs. However, further details about these offerings have not yet been disclosed.
