Microsoft to Open AI-Focused Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft to set up key engineering centre in Abu Dhabi

Image: Getty Images In line with the expansion of its Global Engineering Development Center footprint, Microsoft has announced it will launch a centre in Abu Dhabi. The engineering centre will join the company's global portfolio of development centres across key strategic locations around the world. The Abu Dhabi centre will collaborate with Microsoft's global network of development centres to develop advanced solutions in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and advanced cybersecurity. The solutions created here will be integrated into Microsoft products worldwide. "As a hub of innovation, Abu Dhabi is well-positioned to lead global efforts in AI," said Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. "The UAE's strategic location and advanced infrastructure will allow us to drive positive impacts across industries." Microsoft's engineering centre to power innovation and attract talent to region Microsoft's new Engineering Development Center builds upon the company's existing strategic partnership with G42, a leading technology company in the UAE. The collaboration between the two companies has focused on advancements in AI and cloud infrastructure. "Our Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi will bring new talent to the region and help power innovation that will drive economic growth and job creation," said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft. The centre will play a key role in developing the UAE's workforce by providing educational programmes focused on AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. These programs will target both current professionals and upcoming talent. "Today's announcement reinforces our commitment to the region," said Samer Abu-Ltaif, Microsoft corporate vice president and president, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We are transitioning from consuming technology to contributing to its global creation." In other news, during his keynote at the Microsoft AI Tour 2024 in Mexico City, Nadella revealed a new investment of $1.3bn over the next three years to enhance AI infrastructure and initiatives aimed at promoting digital and AI skills.

Microsoft expands its Global Engineering Development Center's footprint to the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi

The Development Center will support world-class engineering talent in developing cutting-edge solutions that drive innovation and deliver lasting global impact ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced it is expanding its Global Engineering Development Center footprint to the UAE. A new development center, which will be established in Abu Dhabi, one of Microsoft's first engineering centers to be launched in the Arab world, joining the company's global portfolio of development centers across key strategic locations around the world. Microsoft's Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi will be part of a global ecosystem of centers dedicated to the creation of AI innovations, cloud technologies and advanced cybersecurity solutions. The engineering teams at the center will create cutting-edge solutions that will be part of Microsoft solutions globally. This announcement is the latest in a series of investments by Microsoft that further strengthens the UAE's position as a global hub of tech innovation and talent. Microsoft's strategic partnership with G42 has been instrumental in establishing a thriving local technological ecosystem, and the new Microsoft Engineering Development Center will build on these efforts by not only creating cutting-edge technologies in the region but also attracting top tech talent from around the world to develop tailored solutions that tackle pressing challenges in critical industries globally. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, said, "As a hub of innovation, Abu Dhabi is well-positioned to lead global efforts in AI, championing transformative solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Abu Dhabi's advanced digital and physical infrastructure, combined with the UAE's strategic location at the heart of the world, allows us to drive positive, far-reaching impacts across industries and societies alike." Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft, said, "We are committed to ensuring transformative technologies, like AI, benefit everyone broadly and create local opportunity. Our Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi will bring new talent to the region and help power innovation that will drive economic growth and job creation for both the UAE and the world." Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42, said, "The establishment of Microsoft's Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi underscores the growing importance of the UAE as a hub for technological innovation. While G42 and Microsoft have worked together in the past to drive advancements in AI and cloud infrastructure, this new center will complement our collective efforts in building a more robust digital future for the region and beyond." Samer Abu-Ltaif, Microsoft Corporate Vice President and President, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, said, "Today's announcement reinforces our commitment to the region and our strategic partnership with the UAE. By empowering youth, collaborating with academia and fostering IP creation, we are unlocking the region's potential. We are transitioning from consuming technology to contributing to its global creation. With a world-class Engineering Development Centre in Abu Dhabi, we drive innovation and support organizations worldwide to stay competitive in a digital world." The Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi will also play a key role in advancing Microsoft's efforts to upskill the regional workforce by empowering professionals already in the workforce as well as upcoming talent with the skills necessary to effectively leverage the latest advancements in cutting-edge technologies. This will be achieved through a series of collaborations with local universities, training centers and government initiatives, particularly in the fields of cloud computing, AI and cybersecurity. Microsoft's efforts to invest in human capital and improve the employability of professionals, specifically in tech-driven sectors, are aligned with the diversification efforts of local governments and their ambitions to transition into a knowledge-based economy. 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.

Microsoft to set up AI development center in Abu Dhabi

Microsoft Corp. is setting up an engineering center in Abu Dhabi to focus on AI innovations, cloud technologies and advanced cybersecurity solutions, months after announcing a strategic investment of $1.5 billion in the UAE government-backed AI firm G42. The first of its kind in the Arab world, Microsoft's Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi will focus on creating cutting-edge technologies in the region. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, said: "Abu Dhabi's advanced digital and physical infrastructure, combined with the UAE's strategic location at the heart of the world, allows us to drive positive, far-reaching impacts across industries and societies alike." Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft, said the Abu Dhabi center will bring new talent to the region and help power innovation that will drive economic growth and job creation for both the UAE and the world. Last week, Microsoft and G42 announced they will open two centres in Abu Dhabi to work on "responsible" AI initiatives where they will work to ensure "generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely." Elsewhere, MGX, the Abu Dhabi-based technology investment company founded by the state-backed Mubadala and G42, along with Microsoft, BlackRock, and Global Infrastructure Partners launched an AI infrastructure investment partnership that aims to mobilise up to $100 billion to enhance the future of AI. According to a report by PwC Middle East, AI could contribute $96 billion to the UAE economy by 2030, equivalent to 13.6% of its GDP. (Writing by Brinda Darasha; editing by Daniel Luiz) brinda.darasha@lseg.com