Nvidia Partners with Thai Tech Company to Build Country’s First “Sovereign Cloud”
Breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence and Data Sovereignty
US chip giant Nvidia has signed a partnership with Thai tech company SIAM.AI to build Thailand’s first “sovereign cloud”. The announcement was made during a visit to Bangkok by Nvidia’s CEO and founder, Jensen Huang, who agreed to support the development of artificial intelligence in Thailand.
A “sovereign cloud” is the idea that a country, region or community will have control over its data — where it is stored, how it is accessed, who oversees it. Huang stated that the data stored on Thailand’s sovereign cloud server could be used to power a local “AI ecosystem”, such as a generative AI chatbot fed by Thai data.
Supporting the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Thailand
This partnership comes after Huang said on Tuesday that Nvidia would work with the Thai government to develop “world-class AI infrastructure” in the kingdom. On Wednesday, Huang added that Nvidia would partner with 40 Thai universities and over 50 startups so that local schools and enterprises “will have access to Thai AI”. He emphasized that “The data of Thailand… it belongs to the Thai people… It is your natural resource,” highlighting the importance of data sovereignty.
The Benefits of a Sovereign Cloud
According to data company OpenDataSoft, the sovereignty of the digital cloud “does a better job of protecting national interests by limiting third-party access to sensitive information”. A sovereign cloud can also be applied in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, energy, digital, and telecom. Huang mentioned that the sovereign cloud could benefit these sectors by providing them with a secure and reliable platform for data storage and processing.
Nvidia’s Global Leadership
Nvidia, which makes specialized computer chips used for training AI models, has surpassed Apple to become the highest-valued company in the world. The company’s leading position in the AI hardware market has made it an attractive partner for governments and organizations looking to develop their AI capabilities.
SIAM.AI: A Cloud Platform with Local Roots
SIAM.AI is a cloud platform that offers virtual servers and data storage. Its chief executive, Ratanaphon Wongnapachant, is reportedly related to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who made an appearance at the event.
Thailand’s Tech Sector: Opportunities and Challenges
Thailand is Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, but its tech sector has lagged behind Singapore and Indonesia. Last year, then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin made a major push for investment from US tech giants during a trip to New York. The partnership between Nvidia and SIAM.AI is seen as a significant step towards developing Thailand’s tech sector and reducing its reliance on foreign technologies.
Conclusion
The partnership between Nvidia and SIAM.AI marks a major breakthrough in artificial intelligence and data sovereignty in Thailand. The sovereign cloud will provide a secure and reliable platform for data storage and processing, enabling the development of local AI ecosystems and fostering innovation in various sectors.
FAQs
* What is a sovereign cloud?
A sovereign cloud is a cloud computing platform that is owned and operated by a country, region or community, giving them control over their data and access to it.
* How will the sovereign cloud benefit Thailand?
The sovereign cloud will provide a secure and reliable platform for data storage and processing, enabling the development of local AI ecosystems and fostering innovation in various sectors.
* What sectors will benefit from the sovereign cloud?
The sovereign cloud can be applied in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, energy, digital, and telecom.
* What is SIAM.AI?
SIAM.AI is a cloud platform that offers virtual servers and data storage. Its chief executive is reportedly related to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.