The UAE’s G42 and Microsoft have announced plans to create two AI centres in Abu Dhabi, furthering their partnership after a $1.5B deal. The first centre will focus on responsible AI use across the Middle East and Global South, bringing together AI practitioners and academic researchers to establish and share best practices.
Microsoft will also open its ‘AI for Good Research Lab’, its first in the region, to address societal challenges like food security and climate resilience. The lab will work with nonprofits and collaborate with the existing Nairobi team to develop large language models for underrepresented languages, aiming to bridge global language divides.
Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, stressed that the partnership seeks to develop a framework for AI to benefit all humanity, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for AI innovation that prioritises safety, trust, and collaboration. This venture builds on Microsoft’s partnership with G42, which seeks to establish itself as an AI leader in the Middle East.
The two companies have been working under the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, supported by the US and UAE governments, to ensure the secure and responsible development of AI. Microsoft’s investment in G42 reflects these commitments. Their compliance teams meet quarterly, with weekly progress reviews.
G42 also confirmed that it began migrating its cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure in November 2023, and the process is ongoing. Additionally, G42 is partnering with OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, to support its expansion in the GCC region.
