Microsoft to pour $1.5b into Abu Dhabi’s G42
INVESTMENT OPENS UAE’S DOORS TO LATEST AI TECH
The US tech giant Microsoft is committing $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi’s AI focused tech entity, G42. “The investment will strengthen the two companies’ collaboration on bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries,” said a statement.
Brad Smith, vice-chair and president of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors. “This expanded collaboration will empower organisations of all sizes in new markets to harness the benefits of AI and the cloud,” the statement from G42 added.
Honing AI talent
The partnership will also help develop a “skilled and diverse AI workforce and talent pool” in the region, with an investment of $1 billion earmarked for a fund for tech developers.
According to Shaikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of G42, “Microsoft’s investment marks a pivotal moment in our company’s journey of growth and innovation, signifying a strategic alignment of vision and execution between the two organisations. This partnership is a testament to the shared values and aspirations for progress, fostering greater cooperation and synergy globally.”
The G42-Microsoft partnership is backed by “assurances to both governments” through a first such agreement to “apply world-class best practices to ensure the secure, trusted, and responsible development and deployment of AI”.
The Microsoft-G42 partnership seeks to develop a skilled and diverse AI workforce in the region, with a particular focus on investing in tech developers.
Responsible AI
The two companies will work to elevate the security and compliance framework of their joint international infrastructure.
“Both companies will move forward with a commitment to comply with US and international trade, security, responsible AI, and business integrity laws and regulations,” the statement said.
These are governed by a detailed “Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement” between G42 and Microsoft that was developed in close consultation with both the UAE and US governments.
“Our two companies will work together not only in the UAE, but to bring AI and digital infrastructure and services to underserved nations,” said Brad Smith.