Microsoft invests $1.5b in Abu Dhabi’s G42 to rev up AI development

•  G42 and Microsoft will collaborate to ensure the benefits of secure AI technologies and cloud capabilities are responsibly shared with growing economies globally.
• Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President Brad Smith will take a seat on the G42 Board.
• Both companies will support the establishment of a $1B fund for developers.
• The partnership includes a first of its kind Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement as both parties commit to world-leading standards in AI safety and security.

​​​​​Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi’s G42 to accelerate AI development and spread wings.

As part of this expanded partnership Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors

The investment will strengthen the two companies’ collaboration on bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries while G42 will run its AI applications and services on Microsoft Azure and partner to deliver advanced AI solutions to global public sector clients and large enterprises.

“Microsoft’s investment in G42 marks a pivotal moment in our company’s journey of growth and innovation. The partnership is a testament to the shared values and aspirations for progress, fostering greater cooperation and synergy globally,”   Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of G42, said.

“The partnership will also support the development of a skilled and diverse AI workforce and talent pool that will drive innovation and competitiveness for the UAE and broader region with the investment of $1B in a development fund for developers. ” 

Cementing ties

The collaboration between G42 and Microsoft has expanded through several milestones over the last year. This includes a joint plan announced in April 2023 to develop AI solutions tailored for the public sector and industry, leveraging Microsoft’s extensive partner ecosystem and cloud capabilities.

In September 2023, the companies entered into an agreement to introduce sovereign cloud offerings and collaborate on unlocking the potential of advanced AI capabilities on the Azure public cloud platform. Lastly, in November 2023, Microsoft announced the availability of G42’s Jais Arabic Large Language Model on the new Azure AI Cloud Model-as-a-Service offering.

“Our two companies will work together not only in the UAE, but to bring AI and digital infrastructure and services to underserved nations,” Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President, said.

“We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, trusted, and responsible AI, in close coordination with the governments of both the UAE and the United States.”