Microsoft and G42 Expand AI Partnership with New Centers in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft and G42 Announce AI Units in Abu Dhabi, Strengthens The Next Phase of their Partnership

The larger goal is to not only advance responsible AI and strengthen the relationship between the two companies, but also between UAE & USA. In a collaborative effort, Microsoft and G42 announced the establishment of two new centers in Abu Dhabi to further responsible AI goals. G42 is a UAE-based AI technology company. This work builds on the partnership announced earlier this year. The goal of these centers is to implement Responsible AI standards and practices. This includes working to ensure that the two companies' generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely. This partnership is part of an ongoing effort to bring world-class technology to underserved regions such as the global south. "Today's steps will add to the important progress Microsoft and G42 are making to broaden access to the responsible, safe, and secure use of artificial intelligence," said Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft. The first, co-founded and co-funded by G42 and Microsoft, along with Abu Dhabi's Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Research Council (AIATRC), will identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. The second one is the expansion of Microsoft's AI for Good Research Lab into Abu Dhabi, which will support AI projects that address key societal goals. "By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity. These new centers reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritizes safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south," said Peng Xiao, group CEO of G42. In a bid to emerge as a leading player in AI, G42 has actively collaborated with OpenAI and Qualcomm, among other tech giants. It is interesting to note that Microsoft has played a pivotal part in their journey as well. In November 2023, G42 began its shift from its legacy public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure. Additionally, early this year, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42 with a focus on expanding AI technologies and skilling initiatives in the UAE. In another similar collaboration, Microsoft and G42 unveiled a major digital investment initiative in collaboration with Kenya's government. It is also interesting to note how Microsoft, along with several other tech companies, are leveraging its partnership with G42 to enter the South Asian and African markets where AI development is growing rapidly. G42 has also indicated its interest in cutting out its links with China gradually, especially with suppliers on the US's exports controls list.

Microsoft, UAE's AI firm G42 to set up two new centres in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft and United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company G42 will open two centres in Abu Dhabi to work on "responsible" AI initiatives, the companies said on Tuesday. The UAE, led by government-backed firm G42, is striving to become a global leader in AI and is investing heavily in it to diversify away from oil. The push comes amid rising competition in the region as Qatar and Saudi Arabia pitch themselves as potential AI hubs outside the United States, as well as Washington's concerns over deepening ties between China and Gulf states over potential technology transfers to Beijing. The companies said the deal built on their April partnership, under which Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in the Emirati firm. The first centre will bring together academic researchers and AI practitioners from the private sector to develop and share best practices in responsible AI. The other centre will focus on tasks including developing large language models - computer programs that draw from vast amounts of text to generate responses to queries - for "underrepresented languages". Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42, whose chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE's national security advisor and the president's brother. G42 said earlier this year it had divested its investments in China and at the time of the Microsoft partnership, both firms noted that the deal was backed by assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments over security. Microsoft and G42 said on Tuesday the centres will work to ensure "generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely." G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on a U.S. government list of parties for which Washington maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports, or transfers of items, the firms said. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan)

Microsoft, UAE's AI Firm G42 to Set up Two New Centres in Abu Dhabi

DUBAI (Reuters) - Microsoft and United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company G42 will open two centres in Abu Dhabi to work on "responsible" AI initiatives, the companies said on Tuesday. The UAE, led by government-backed firm G42, is striving to become a global leader in AI and is investing heavily in it to diversify away from oil. The push comes amid rising competition in the region as Qatar and Saudi Arabia pitch themselves as potential AI hubs outside the United States, as well as Washington's concerns over deepening ties between China and Gulf states over potential technology transfers to Beijing. The companies said the deal built on their April partnership, under which Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in the Emirati firm. The first centre will bring together academic researchers and AI practitioners from the private sector to develop and share best practices in responsible AI. The other centre will focus on tasks including developing large language models - computer programs that draw from vast amounts of text to generate responses to queries - for "underrepresented languages". Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42, whose chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE's national security advisor and the president's brother. G42 said earlier this year it had divested its investments in China and at the time of the Microsoft partnership, both firms noted that the deal was backed by assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments over security. Microsoft and G42 said on Tuesday the centres will work to ensure "generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely." G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on a U.S. government list of parties for which Washington maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports, or transfers of items, the firms said. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan)

UAE's G42, Microsoft to build two AI centres in Abu Dhabi

Image credit: Thomas Trutschel/ Getty Images UAE's G42 and Microsoft said on Tuesday that they would build two artificial intelligence (AI) centres in Abu Dhabi, further deepening their ties months after they inked a $1.5bn deal. The first centre would identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. It will convene academic researchers and AI practitioners from across the private sector to develop, document and share emerging Responsible AI best practices. Microsoft will also open its 'AI for Good Research Lab' in Abu Dhabi, the US tech's first in the region, to support social goals, including advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience. The new lab will harness the power of AI to collaborate with nonprofit organisations and partners to address key economic and societal challenges across the Middle East and Africa. It will work closely with the Lab's existing team in Nairobi to develop large language models (LLMs) for underrepresented languages, helping bridge the global language divide, the statement said. The Lab will also focus on advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience by applying AI to high-resolution geospatial data, enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities. "By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity," said Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42. "These new centres reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritises safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south." The moves build on Microsoft's partnership with G42, which is seeking to become an AI superpower in the Middle East. "Since Microsoft and G42 launched their partnership in April, the two companies have been executing under the commitments of the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, with support and oversight by both the US and UAE governments," the statement added. Following Microsoft's investment in G42, the US tech giant described their assurances to the US and UAE governments as a first-of-its-kind agreement to ensure the secure, trusted, and responsible development and deployment of AI. The two entities' compliance committee meets quarterly, and the two teams maintain a weekly cadence for progress reviews. G42 also said the migration of its legacy public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure began in November 2023 and is continuing as planned. The AI firm is also collaborating with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which is looking to expand in the GCC region. Read: Microsoft invests $1.5bn in UAE's G42 to power AI adoption

Microsoft, UAE's AI firm G42 to set up two new centres in Abu Dhabi

DUBAI, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab and United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company G42 will open two centres in Abu Dhabi to work on "responsible" AI initiatives, the companies said on Tuesday. The UAE, led by government-backed firm G42, is striving to become a global leader in AI and is investing heavily in it to diversify away from oil. The push comes amid rising competition in the region as Qatar and Saudi Arabia pitch themselves as potential AI hubs outside the United States, as well as Washington's concerns over deepening ties between China and Gulf states over potential technology transfers to Beijing. Advertisement · Scroll to continue The companies said the deal built on their April partnership, under which Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in the Emirati firm. The first centre will bring together academic researchers and AI practitioners from the private sector to develop and share best practices in responsible AI. The other centre will focus on tasks including developing large language models - computer programs that draw from vast amounts of text to generate responses to queries - for "underrepresented languages". Advertisement · Scroll to continue Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42, whose chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE's national security advisor and the president's brother. G42 said earlier this year it had divested its investments in China and at the time of the Microsoft partnership, both firms noted that the deal was backed by assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments over security. Microsoft and G42 said on Tuesday the centres will work to ensure "generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely." G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on a U.S. government list of parties for which Washington maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports, or transfers of items, the firms said. Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Microsoft, G42 set up two centres to advance Responsible AI in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft Corp and G42 have announced the establishment in Abu Dhabi of two new centres that together will advance their collective Responsible AI goals. The first, co-founded and co-funded by G42 and Microsoft, with the endorsement of UAE's Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), will identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. The second is the expansion of Microsoft's AI for Good Research Lab into Abu Dhabi, which will support AI projects that address key societal goals. Develop ongoing advances The first centre will convene academic researchers and AI practitioners from across the private sector to develop, document and share emerging Responsible AI best practices. G42 and Microsoft are both committed to working closely with the Centre to bring together individuals and organisations from across the Middle East, the Global South, and more broadly to learn from each other and develop ongoing advances in this emerging field. Simultaneously, Microsoft's AI for Good Lab will open a centre in Abu Dhabi, its first in the Middle East. This new lab will harness the power of AI to collaborate with nonprofit organisations and partners, addressing key economic and societal challenges across the Middle East and Africa. In close collaboration with the Lab's existing team in Nairobi, this initiative will prioritise the development of large language models for underrepresented languages, helping bridge the global language divide. It will also focus on advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience by applying AI to high-resolution geospatial data, enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The partnership will work alongside the AIATC, which was created in January to develop plans and research programmes in collaboration with local and global partners to enhance Abu Dhabi's status in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced technology. The two centres build on the work that Microsoft and G42 are taking together to implement Responsible AI standards and practices. This includes working to ensure that the two companies' generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely -- a commitment that is at the heart of the Responsible AI policies that Microsoft has developed and implemented, and that G42 is now adopting in connection with its partnership and the commitments made to the US and UAE governments. Red teaming Among other things, these policies govern the design and use of AI applications, incorporate digital safety and cybersecurity plans for model training and deployment, and establish "red teaming" processes to harden AI systems against probing, testing and attacks. G42's adoption of these policies will solidify the UAE's position as a trusted global AI hub and ensure that Microsoft and G42 AI technologies running on Azure are responsibly shared with their growing joint customer base, globally. "Today's steps will add to the important progress Microsoft and G42 are making to broaden access to the responsible, safe, and secure use of artificial intelligence," said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. "We are committed to additional steps with G42 that advance responsible AI use for customers and that strengthen the relationship not only between our two companies, but between our two countries." Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said: "By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity. These new centres reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritises safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south." Since Microsoft and G42 launched their partnership in April, the two companies have been executing under the commitments of the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, with support and oversight by both the US and UAE governments. Best in class As a matter of corporate policy instituted earlier this year, G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on the US Government Consolidated Screening List. The Microsoft and G42 compliance committee meets quarterly, and the two teams maintain a weekly cadence for progress reviews. G42's compliance programme is designed to be "best in class," ensuring the highest standards of business practices and security principles. This partnership presents a strategic opportunity to bring world-class technology to underserved regions such as the global south. G42's efforts in creating a regulated and monitored environment for deploying US-developed advanced technology systems are essential for meeting international AI demands. The collaboration aims to bridge the digital divide, address pressing social challenges, and promote democratic norms in cyberspace. The two entities have already announced a $1 billion investment in Kenya leveraging geothermal energy, and are actively exploring other strategic markets. In addition, the migration of G42's legacy public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure began in November 2023 and is continuing as planned. This migration is critical for ensuring secure and efficient operations. Microsoft and G42 believe in the transformative power of AI and cloud technologies, and their partnership is built on a foundation of trust, security, shared values, and a commitment to the highest standards of regulatory compliance. Microsoft and G42 are dedicated to ensuring that the collaboration contributes positively to global technological advancement. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Microsoft, UAE's AI firm G42 to set up two new centres in Abu Dhabi

The push comes amid rising competition in the region as Qatar and Saudi Arabia pitch themselves as potential AI hubs outside the United States, as well as Washington's concerns over deepening ties between China and Gulf states over potential technology transfers to Beijing. The companies said the deal built on their April partnership, under which Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in the Emirati firm. The first centre will bring together academic researchers and AI practitioners from the private sector to develop and share best practices in responsible AI. The other centre will focus on tasks including developing large language models - computer programs that draw from vast amounts of text to generate responses to queries - for "underrepresented languages". Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42, whose chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE's national security advisor and the president's brother. G42 said earlier this year it had divested its investments in China and at the time of the Microsoft partnership, both firms noted that the deal was backed by assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments over security. Microsoft and G42 said on Tuesday the centres will work to ensure "generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely." G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on a U.S. government list of parties for which Washington maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports, or transfers of items, the firms said. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan)

UAE's G42, Microsoft to build two data centres in Abu Dhabi

Image credit: Thomas Trutschel/ Getty Images UAE's G42 and Microsoft said on Tuesday that they would build two artificial intelligence (AI) centres in Abu Dhabi, further deepening their ties months after they inked a $1.5bn deal. The first centre would identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. It will convene academic researchers and AI practitioners from across the private sector to develop, document and share emerging Responsible AI best practices. Microsoft will also open its 'AI for Good Research Lab' in Abu Dhabi, the US tech's first in the region, to support social goals, including advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience. The new lab will harness the power of AI to collaborate with nonprofit organisations and partners to address key economic and societal challenges across the Middle East and Africa. It will work closely with the Lab's existing team in Nairobi to develop large language models (LLMs) for underrepresented languages, helping bridge the global language divide, the statement said. The Lab will also focus on advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience by applying AI to high-resolution geospatial data, enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities. "By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity," said Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42. "These new centres reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritises safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south." The moves build on Microsoft's partnership with G42, which is seeking to become an AI superpower in the Middle East. "Since Microsoft and G42 launched their partnership in April, the two companies have been executing under the commitments of the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, with support and oversight by both the US and UAE governments," the statement added. Following Microsoft's investment in G42, the US tech giant described their assurances to the US and UAE governments as a first-of-its-kind agreement to ensure the secure, trusted, and responsible development and deployment of AI. The two entities' compliance committee meets quarterly, and the two teams maintain a weekly cadence for progress reviews. G42 also said the migration of its legacy public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure began in November 2023 and is continuing as planned. The AI firm is also collaborating with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which is looking to expand in the GCC region. Read: Microsoft invests $1.5bn in UAE's G42 to power AI adoption

Microsoft, G42 Deepen Ties With Two AI Centers in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft Corp. and G42 are establishing two artificial intelligence centers in Abu Dhabi, months after they inked a $1.5 billion deal and the United Arab Emirates firm agreed to divest from China. One center will help develop best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI, according to a statement Tuesday. The US firm will also open its first 'AI for Good Research Lab' in the region to support social goals, including advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience.

Another important step in advancing responsible AI to serve the world

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- As Microsoft Corp. and G42 continue to advance our collaboration, we are sharing two significant initiatives to help ensure that AI is used responsibly and serves the world. This work builds on the partnership we jointly announced earlier this year and marks the beginning of several additional steps we will announce in the weeks and months ahead. Today, we're announcing the establishment in Abu Dhabi of two new centers that together will advance our collective Responsible AI goals. The first, co-founded and co-funded by G42 and Microsoft, with the endorsement of UAE's Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), will identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. The second is the expansion of Microsoft's AI for Good Research Lab into Abu Dhabi, which will support AI projects that address key societal goals. The first center will convene academic researchers and AI practitioners from across the private sector to develop, document and share emerging Responsible AI best practices. G42 and Microsoft are both committed to working closely with the Center to bring together individuals and organizations from across the Middle East, the Global South, and more broadly to learn from each other and develop ongoing advances in this emerging field. Simultaneously, Microsoft's AI for Good Lab will open a center in Abu Dhabi, its first in the Middle East. This new lab will harness the power of AI to collaborate with nonprofit organizations and partners, addressing key economic and societal challenges across the Middle East and Africa. In close collaboration with the Lab's existing team in Nairobi, this initiative will prioritize the development of large language models for underrepresented languages, helping bridge the global language divide. It will also focus on advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience by applying AI to high-resolution geospatial data, enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The partnership will work alongside the AIATC, which was created in January to develop plans and research programs in collaboration with local and global partners to enhance Abu Dhabi's status in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced technology. The two centers build on the work that Microsoft and G42 are taking together to implement Responsible AI standards and practices. This includes working to ensure that the two companies' generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely -- a commitment that is at the heart of the Responsible AI policies that Microsoft has developed and implemented, and that G42 is now adopting in connection with our partnership and the commitments made to the U.S. and UAE governments. Among other things, these policies govern the design and use of AI applications, incorporate digital safety and cybersecurity plans for model training and deployment, and establish "red teaming" processes to harden AI systems against probing, testing and attacks. G42's adoption of these policies will solidify the UAE's position as a trusted global AI hub and ensure that Microsoft and G42 AI technologies running on Azure are responsibly shared with our growing joint customer base, globally. "Today's steps will add to the important progress Microsoft and G42 are making to broaden access to the responsible, safe, and secure use of artificial intelligence," said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. "We are committed to additional steps with G42 that advance responsible AI use for customers and that strengthen the relationship not only between our two companies, but between our two countries." Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said, "By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity. These new centers reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritizes safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south." Since Microsoft and G42 launched their partnership in April, the two companies have been executing under the commitments of the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, with support and oversight by both the U.S. and UAE governments. As a matter of corporate policy instituted earlier this year, G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on the U.S. Government Consolidated Screening List. The Microsoft and G42 compliance committee meets quarterly, and the two teams maintain a weekly cadence for progress reviews. G42's compliance program is designed to be "best in class," ensuring the highest standards of business practices and security principles. This partnership presents a strategic opportunity to bring world-class technology to underserved regions such as the global south. G42's efforts in creating a regulated and monitored environment for deploying U.S.-developed advanced technology systems are essential for meeting international AI demands. Our collaboration aims to bridge the digital divide, address pressing social challenges, and promote democratic norms in cyberspace. We have already announced a $1 billion investment in Kenya leveraging geothermal energy, and are actively exploring other strategic markets. In addition, the migration of G42's legacy public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure began in November 2023 and is continuing as planned. This migration is critical for ensuring secure and efficient operations. Microsoft and G42 believe in the transformative power of AI and cloud technologies, and our partnership is built on a foundation of trust, security, shared values, and a commitment to the highest standards of regulatory compliance. Microsoft and G42 are dedicated to ensuring that our collaboration contributes positively to global technological advancement. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. About G42 G42 is a technology holding group, a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities, today. To know more visit www.g42.ai For more information, press only: Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications for Microsoft, rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com Media and PR Team, G42, media@g42.ai

UAE: Microsoft, Abu Dhabi-based AI firm to set up two new centres

Paid parking in Dubai: Residents face up to Dh4,000 extra yearly costs when new rates kick in Microsoft and United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company G42 will open two centres in Abu Dhabi to work on "responsible" AI initiatives, the companies said on Tuesday. The UAE, led by government-backed firm G42, is striving to become a global leader in AI and is investing heavily in it to diversify away from oil. The companies said the deal built on their April partnership, under which Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in the Emirati firm. The first centre will bring together academic researchers and AI practitioners from the private sector to develop and share best practices in responsible AI. The other centre will focus on tasks including developing large language models - computer programs that draw from vast amounts of text to generate responses to queries - for "underrepresented languages". Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42, whose chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE's national security advisor and the president's brother.