KEY FACT: Microsoft Corp has announced the establishment of two new AI centers in Abu Dhabi, to advance responsible AI innovation and address societal needs. One of the centers is co-founded and co-funded by G42 and Microsoft, with the endorsement of Abu Dhabi’s Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), while the other is the expansion of Microsoft’s AI for Good Research Lab into Abu Dhabi.

Image Source: Aletihad Newspaper. Logo: Microsoft, G42

Microsoft, G42 Establish AI Centres in Abu Dhabi

Leading technology company, Microsoft Corp. and G42, a technology holding group, have deepened their collaboration to advance their collective Artificial intelligence (AI) goals and address societal needs for responsible AI innovation. Microsoft announced through a blog post, the establishment of two new AI centers in Abu Dhabi, one, to advance responsible AI innovation and the other, to advance Microsoft's "AI for Good" initiative.

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 Abu Dhabi’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. Source

The responsible AI center will focus on setting industry standards for responsible AI development, having received the endorsement of the UAE's Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC). The center will identify, develop, and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. This center will also convene academic researchers and AI practitioners from across the private sector to develop, document, and share emerging Responsible AI best practices.

On the other hand, Microsoft’s "AI for Good" Lab will be the first in the Middle East to harness the power of AI to collaborate with nonprofit organizations and partners. The center will be used to advance Microsoft's "AI for Good" initiative and support projects to tackle economic and societal challenges across the Middle East and Africa. The center will operate closely with the lab’s existing team in Nairobi. 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.

This expansion into Abu Dhabi is part of Microsoft's broader AI expansion plan to give the company an edge in global AI development. The expansion plan includes significant investments in regions like Germany, Spain, and the UK. This expansion aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which is to integrate AI into various key industries and establish an AI-driven economy.

The establishment of two AI centers in Abu Dhabi is an intentional move to strengthen Microsoft’s global AI footprint while supporting the UAE’s ambitious digital transformation agenda. With a focus on both ethical AI development and using AI for the greater good, these centers will likely drive innovation across various sectors in the Middle East and beyond. Partnering with G42 for this stride aims to bridge the digital divide, address pressing social challenges, and promote democratic norms in cyberspace.

Reacting to the development, the Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, Brad Smith, stated that the collaboration with G42 will be not only between the two companies but between their host countries.

“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,” ... “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, expressed optimism about the collaboration and hinted that it will position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritizes safety, trust, and collaboration.

“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.”

Microsoft is known for creating 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. G42 is a technology-holding group born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide. The company champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries, covering molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between.

We hope this partnership makes responsible AI possible and accessible to all.

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