G42, the UAE-based artificial intelligence company, and Microsoft have announced plans to establish two AI centers in Abu Dhabi, deepening their collaboration following a $1.5 billion partnership deal earlier this year.
The initiative aims to advance the responsible use of AI and address societal challenges across the Middle East and Global South.
The first center will focus on identifying and developing best practices for the ethical use of AI in the region. It will bring together academic researchers and AI experts from various sectors to create and share guidelines for responsible AI usage. This effort highlights the growing importance of ethical standards as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into industries and governments.
Microsoft will also open its first “AI for Good Research Lab” in the Middle East, located in Abu Dhabi. The lab will focus on leveraging AI to tackle significant social issues, including improving food security and enhancing climate resilience. It will work with nonprofit organizations and partners to address economic and societal challenges in the Middle East and Africa.
Additionally, the lab will collaborate with Microsoft’s existing team in Nairobi to develop large language models (LLMs) for underrepresented languages, contributing to efforts to bridge the global language divide. Moreover, the use of AI in analyzing high-resolution geospatial data will enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities in the region.
Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, emphasized the importance of responsible AI development, stating, “By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity.” He added that the new centers reflect the companies’ commitment to making Abu Dhabi a global hub for AI innovation, particularly for the Global South.
It is worth noting that this initiative builds on the partnership between G42 and Microsoft, which was formalized earlier this year under the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, with oversight from both the UAE and US governments. This agreement ensures the secure and responsible deployment of AI technologies. A compliance committee meets quarterly to oversee progress, with regular weekly reviews between both teams.
As part of their broader collaboration, G42 began migrating its public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure in late 2023, a transition that is progressing as planned. G42 is also working with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, as it expands its AI presence in the GCC region.
There is no doubt that these developments position Abu Dhabi as a key player in AI innovation, focused on ethical practices and addressing real-world challenges, while fostering closer ties between the UAE and global AI leaders.
