By
Godfrey Benjamin
April 18th, 2024
The expanded partnership will see G42 run its AI applications and services on Microsoft’s cloud computing platform Azure and deliver advanced AI solutions to global public sector clients and large enterprises.
Microsoft Corporate (NASDAQ: MSFT), a leading global technology powerhouse, continues its artificial intelligence (AI) push with a strategic investment in Abu Dhabi’s G42, a renowned technology firm known for building visionary AI tools. In an official announcement on Tuesday, the company said it has committed $1.5 billion to G42 to accelerate AI growth and support its global expansion.
Microsoft’s Brad Smith Joins G42’s Board
Under the agreement, Microsoft now owns a minority stake in G42. The deal also secured a board seat for Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president at the Abu Dhabi firm.
Microsoft and G42 have a long-standing business relationship, and the latest investment aims to strengthen the company’s collaborative efforts to introduce the newest Microsoft AI technologies and training programs to the UAE and other nations worldwide.
The technology-focused firms plan to work together to responsibly distribute the advantages of secure AI technologies and cloud capabilities to burgeoning economies on a global scale.
Commenting on the deal, the chairman of G42 H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the partnership is a testament to shared values between the two companies.
“Microsoft’s investment in G42 marks a pivotal moment in our company’s journey of growth and innovation, signifying a strategic alignment of vision and execution between the two organizations. This partnership is a testament to our shared values and aspirations for progress, fostering greater cooperation and synergy globally,” he said.
Bringing AI Tools to Underserved Nations
The expanded partnership will see G42 run its AI applications and services on Microsoft’s cloud computing platform Azure and deliver advanced AI solutions to global public sector clients and large enterprises.
These advanced AI tools and technological infrastructure will be made available to countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, providing them access to services that address major governmental and business concerns while ensuring the highest standards of security and privacy.
“Our two companies will work together in the UAE to bring AI and digital infrastructure and services to underserved nations. We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, trusted, and responsible AI in close coordination with the governments of both the UAE and the United States,” said Smith.
Talent Pools
In addition to developing advanced AI technologies for different regions across the world, the deal will also see the development of a skilled and diverse AI workforce and talent pools, which will drive innovation and elevate the UAE and other regions’ competitiveness.
The initiative is supported by a $1 billion development fund dedicated to software developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft and G42 have collaborated on different ventures over the years. The partnership between the duo has achieved significant milestones, starting with a joint plan unveiled in April 2023 to develop AI solutions tailored for the public sector and industry.
Leveraging Microsoft’s vast partner ecosystem and cloud capabilities, this initiative aims to address specific sector needs effectively.
Building on the success of the April deal, the companies solidified their collaboration in September with the introduction of sovereign cloud offerings. The move aims to unlock the full potential of advanced AI capabilities on the Azure public cloud platform to enhance data security and accessibility for users.
The momentum continued in November 2023, marked by Microsoft’s announcement of the availability of G42’s Jais Arabic Large Language Model in the new Azure AI Cloud Model-as-a-Service offering. According to the announcement at the time, the integration expanded AI accessibility, particularly in language processing and understanding, catering to diverse linguistic needs.