Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming global industries and business practices. Recent advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) have democratised AI, making its capabilities accessible to anyone willing to explore and invest in this cutting-edge technology. To unlock the full potential of AI, organisations are encouraged to embrace cloud-based solutions.
As remote work becomes increasingly common, there has been a corresponding shift from on-premises computing to cloud computing. This shift isn’t limited to businesses, governments are also now moving their services to the cloud to enhance flexibility and productivity, ensure collaboration and efficiency, data security, and harness the power of cloud computing and AI.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing can be a transformative force for Nepali businesses, helping them leapfrog into the new AI era. In a rapidly evolving business ecosystem, cloud computing allows Nepali businesses to flexibly scale resources according to demand. Whether they need to expand or downsize, the cloud provides the necessary agility. Many cloud services, including Microsoft, offer a pay-as-you-go model, which enables efficient allocation of financial resources especially in emerging markets like Nepal. Moving to the cloud also brings about additional security in the form of optimised and integrated security controls and services.
There are three different types of cloud services – public, private and hybrid. For Nepal, hybrid clouds would be a great start as it helps combine both private and public cloud services. Hybrid cloud computing ‘combines hyperscale cloud and on-premises infrastructure, including private cloud, by allowing data and applications to be shared between them’. Organisations that use a hybrid cloud platform can take advantage of many of the same security measures that they use in their existing on-premises infrastructure – including security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities.
Hybrid cloud computing is a strategic choice for Nepal, striking a balance between control, security and scalability. By leveraging both private and public cloud services, organisations can optimise their IT infrastructure and enhance overall efficiency.
The benefits of cloud computing
There are many benefits to switching to the cloud but chief among them is ease of collaboration, cost efficiency, scalability, increased productivity and comprehensive security. This also creates the foundation for adopting AI for the business.
Being on the cloud offers multi-layer security that is optimised for businesses and lowers the chance of a security breach, and the costs associated with it. Securing data in cloud services is essential for businesses to protect their sensitive information from unauthorised access. End-to-end security design and implementation is the foundation of securing data in cloud services. Microsoft recommends a defense in depth approach implementing the principles of Zero Trust across identity, endpoints, data, apps, infrastructure and network.
Collaboration has always been an integral part of work and cloud computing fosters collaboration by breaking down barriers, promoting real-time interaction, and providing flexible solutions for modern work environments. Employees in Nepal can thus liaise and collaborate with employees and managers who might be in other parts of the world. This doesn’t just increase productivity but also fosters a culture of teamwork globally among employees.
Moving to cloud empowers businesses to use the latest AI technology and tools that help organisations and employees improve their productivity. We are learning alongside our customers that AI is so much more than a new technology. It is a new way of working that gives organisations the opportunity to reinvent their business – rewiring everything from core processes and workflows to hiring and training the workforce of the future.
Working on the cloud thus makes it that much easier for AI to help businesses innovate, grow and meet the demands of a fast-changing world. Many businesses in Nepal and around the world are increasingly adopting cloud technology – for those who haven’t made the move yet, this era of AI could be an inspiration. For Nepali businesses that are looking to the future and ambitious to stay ahead of the curve, cloud technology will be a crucial step forward to maintaining a competitive advantage and achieving sustainable growth. It is also the first step in transitioning to the next digital frontier of AI.
(Faruqu is Managing Director, Microsoft Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal)
