Microsoft announced today (November 11) the launch of its "AI+ Taiwan" initiative in Taiwan. This initiative will not only enable Microsoft 14 services to operate in local data centers, but will also allow previously regulated industries to leverage the compliance and security of local data centers to create more flexible and agile cloud services. Furthermore, it will be able to leverage local resources to assist more Taiwanese companies in their digital transformation.
Microsoft currently offers more than 60 data center regions around the world and has built more than 300 data centers, allowing more than 90 regional markets around the world to use Microsoft cloud services in a localized manner, while also allowing more than 10 billion customers worldwide to use Microsoft's more than 200 cloud services.
Microsoft has introduced automated artificial intelligence services to more than 20 industries in Taiwan and has promoted the implementation of more than 100 solutions. It has also worked with many partners to create services that combine artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT applications to promote more local development opportunities.
Launch of the "AI+ Taiwan" project
With the announcement that Microsoft 365 services will operate in local data centers and the "AI+ Taiwan" plan will be launched, Microsoft Taiwan General Manager Bian Zhixiang stated that this will enable more regulated industries in Taiwan, including finance and healthcare, to use localized cloud services to promote more efficient, flexible, secure and compliant application development. At the same time, it will cooperate with the diversified talent training program to promote the growth of local technological capabilities. Combining Taiwan's advantages in software and hardware technology resources, more Taiwanese industries will be able to inject new momentum with artificial intelligence.
In the "AI+ Taiwan" project, Microsoft will provide low-latency, secure and compliant cloud services, collaborate with a wider ecosystem of partners, and continue to help cultivate local AI technology talent through events such as DevDay Asia and the AI Tour. The company plans to train 3 female AI professionals and provide more AI application resources through the Copilot Skilling program. Furthermore, the company will uphold the principles of responsible AI development to ensure the safety of local AI applications.
At the same time, with the opening of Microsoft's local data center in Taiwan, Microsoft also expects to create 16078 IT technician positions and an estimated 48815 derivative employment opportunities, which will further drive the development of local artificial intelligence technology applications in Taiwan.
This will create a situation where locals in Taiwan can access the three major public cloud services nearby.
Prior to this, Google had already established a data center in Changbin, Taiwan, and included Taiwan in its infrastructure regional service scope, and was preparing to establish a second data center in Tainan. AWS also recently revealed that it would launch infrastructure regional services in Taiwan in 2025. Combined with Microsoft's official announcement of the opening of its data center in Taiwan, it means that Taiwan's local industries, startups, and developers will have easier access to the three major public cloud service application resources nearby, thereby driving greater innovation and development momentum.
Regarding the ongoing promotion of artificial intelligence computing development in Taiwan and the current completion of more local data centers, Premier Zhuo Rongtai stated that Taiwan's data centers will be able to continue to operate stably without affecting basic people's livelihood needs and will strengthen the application of technologies such as green energy power generation.
In addition, Microsoft will continue to collaborate with local governments, businesses, and start-ups, and integrate with Microsoft's global policy to promote zero-carbon emissions development, so that data center operations can continue to operate in the form of green electricity and achieve the goal of comprehensive net-zero carbon emissions in the future.
Became Microsoft's 66th data center region globally, continuing to introduce more Microsoft services
Microsoft stated that the data center it has launched in Taiwan will operate in the form of a data center region, and it is also the 66th data center region in the world. However, apart from the location revealed on the official website as being located in Guishan and Luzhu, Taoyuan, no specifications for the data center region have been announced. However, it emphasized that the corresponding execution latency will be less than 3-5 milliseconds, and can be controlled at around 2 milliseconds in local usage.
Currently, through this data center regional operation service, Microsoft revealed that in addition to the Microsoft 365 services announced this time, it actually also includes Copilot services. In addition, it will continue to introduce more Microsoft services including Azure according to the plan. Some services will be tested with specific local customers first. At the same time, the current focus will be on enterprise commercial services. There are currently no plans for corresponding consumer market services, such as personal or home versions of Office 365, or the Xbox Game Pass service that many local players are looking forward to.
