BANGKOK: US chip giant Nvidia said Tuesday it would work with the Thai government to develop “world-class AI infrastructure” in the kingdom. CEO and founder of the leading semiconductor design business Jensen Huang met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra while on a visit to Bangkok, and the two agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence.

“Nvidia is ready to work with the Thai government to develop world-class AI infrastructure and to share best practices and technical expertise to support Thailand’s AI projects,” a statement released by the Thai government said. It added the company had agreed to support over 50 tech startups and invest in AI training at universities. But Nvidia did not announce any major investments like other tech giants, such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft, which have invested billions in the kingdom in the past few years.

Last year, Shinawatra’s predecessor Srettha Thavisin made a major push for investment from US tech giants during a trip to New York. Thailand is Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, but its tech sector has lagged behind Singapore and Indonesia. Across the region, governments are vying for US tech dollars, with Vietnam making a drive to move up the value chain from a hub for producing shoes, clothes and furniture. Nvidia surpassed Apple in November to become the highest-valued company in the world. — AFP