Microsoft and G42 Launch Responsible AI Foundation in Abu Dhabi, Expanding Global AI Ethics Initiatives

Microsoft and G42 Launch Responsible AI Foundation in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft's AI for Good Lab Expands to Abu Dhabi - Supporting NGOs and governments in the Global South. Microsoft and G42 have officially launched a Responsible AI Foundation, the first center of its kind in the Middle East, announced on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris. Supported by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the foundation aims to promote responsible AI standards and best practices in the Middle East and the Global South. Also Read: ADNOC and AIQ Launch Agentic AI Solution for Energy Efficiency in Partnership with Microsoft G42 subsidiary Inception will serve as the program lead. In collaboration with G42, Microsoft announced on Sunday, February 9, 2025, the expansion of its AI for Good Lab to Abu Dhabi. The Responsible AI Foundation will focus on two areas: Andrew Jackson, Group Responsible AI Officer at G42, said, "By bringing together leading minds in research, policy, and industry, we are building a foundation that will drive ethical AI development at a global scale. Our mission is to translate principles into practice, developing actionable frameworks that ensure AI is safe, fair, and aligned with societal values. We are excited to embark on this journey and look forward to collaborating with partners to create AI systems that truly serve humanity." Natasha Crampton, Vice President and Chief Responsible AI Officer at Microsoft, said, "A Responsible AI Foundation and AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi will help ensure that AI serves humanity, not just in the West, but people around the globe. By sharing insights and expertise from our eight years of work in responsible AI governance, Microsoft is committed to helping build a robust, competitive AI economy grounded in good governance and safe, trustworthy, and ethical AI practices." Also Read: Microsoft President Welcomes The Golden Opportunity for American AI Laura Haaber Ihle, an AI ethics expert and Harvard Fellow, is the foundation's first hire, bringing experience in AI governance and policy. Meanwhile, the newly established AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi, a regional hub of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, will begin operations in March, working with NGOs and governments to address societal challenges across the Middle East and the Global South. With the establishment of the Responsible AI Foundation and the expansion of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, G42 and the United Arab Emirates are positioning themselves as a global hub for responsible AI development.

G42, Microsoft unveil Responsible AI Foundation

Image: WAM G42 and Microsoft have officially launched the Responsible AI Foundation, marking the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East. Supported by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the foundation aims to promote responsible AI standards and best practices across the Middle East and Global South. Inception, a subsidiary of G42, will serve as the Programme Lead for the foundation, advancing its mission to ensure that AI development remains both ethical and inclusive. Microsoft, in collaboration with G42, has also announced the expansion of its AI for Good Lab to Abu Dhabi, further strengthening the UAE's position as a global hub for responsible AI development. Responsible AI Foundation's focus areas The Responsible AI Foundation will launch with two key areas: Responsible AI research: The foundation will lead cutting-edge research into both the technical and ethical elements of Responsible AI. This includes developing methodologies for AI safety, bias mitigation techniques, and explainability tools. Collaboration with global and regional research institutions will set new standards for AI fairness, transparency, and accountability. Responsible AI implementation and governance: The foundation will design frameworks to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI systems that account for cultural diversity. These frameworks will involve risk assessment models, external ethics boards, technical audit tools, and adaptable governance guidelines to ensure that AI adoption is responsible, inclusive, and tailored to regional needs. Additionally, the AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi will serve as a regional hub, working with NGOs and governmental organizations to harness AI in addressing societal challenges in the Middle East and Global South. The first researchers at the Abu Dhabi hub will begin their work in March of this year.