Microsoft Invests $15.2 Billion in UAE for AI Technology

Microsoft has announced a $15.2 billion investment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 2029, aiming to advance AI technology, develop talent, and foster trust. This strategic initiative, in partnership with G42, a UAE sovereign AI company, will span two phases: $7.3 billion from 2023 to 2025 and $7.9 billion from 2026 to 2029.

Investment Breakdown

The first phase (2023-2025) includes a $1.5 billion equity investment in G42, $4.6 billion for AI and cloud datacenters, and $1.2 billion in local operating expenses. The second phase (2026-2029) allocates $5.5 billion for AI and cloud infrastructure expansion and $2.4 billion for operating expenses.

Technology and Innovation

Microsoft secured export licenses to ship advanced GPUs to the UAE, equivalent to 60,400 Nvidia A100 chips. These GPUs, along with models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft, will support advanced AI applications locally and internationally.

Talent Development

Microsoft's UAE team comprises 1,000 employees from 40 nationalities. The company has tripled its Emirati partner ecosystem to 1,400 firms and established a Global Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi. Plans include skilling one million people in the UAE by 2027 and upskilling government employees.

Trust and Responsible AI

Microsoft and G42 founded the Responsible AI Future Foundation (RAIFF) to promote AI standards. The Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement (IGAA) ensures compliance with U.S. standards in cybersecurity, export controls, and responsible AI.