Microsoft and the United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company, G42, have announced the establishment of two AI centers in Abu Dhabi. This move is part of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing “responsible” AI initiatives, the companies revealed on Tuesday.
G42, backed by the UAE government, is leading the country’s efforts to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The UAE has been making significant investments in AI as part of its strategy to diversify its economy away from oil dependency, amid growing regional competition in AI development from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
This collaboration builds on an earlier partnership between Microsoft and G42, announced in April, where Microsoft invested $1.5 billion into the Emirati AI firm. As AI development intensifies globally, the UAE’s move is seen as part of its broader ambition to establish itself as a major AI hub outside the United States, with rising concerns from Washington regarding technology transfers between China and Gulf states.
The first AI center will focus on bringing together academic researchers and AI experts from the private sector to explore best practices in responsible AI. This aligns with global concerns over the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence, especially in ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used safely.
The second center will specialize in developing large language models, specifically focusing on languages that are underrepresented in existing AI systems. These models, which analyze vast amounts of text to generate responses, are expected to expand AI capabilities in languages that have historically received less attention in the tech world.
G42, whose chairman is Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security advisor, counts Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake among its stakeholders. Earlier this year, G42 confirmed it had divested its investments in China as part of assurances to both the U.S. and UAE governments concerning security and compliance.
Microsoft and G42 emphasized that the centers will ensure that generative AI models and applications are developed and deployed with safety in mind. Both companies stated that they do not engage with any entities listed on U.S. government restriction lists, affirming their commitment to responsible technology transfer practices.