Microsoft Expands Global AI Reach with $1.5 Billion Investment in UAE-Based AI Company G42

The United Arab Emirates is only the beginning of where this partnership hopes to take AI solutions, which will eventually reach governments and corporations throughout the world.

Microsoft has announced a massive increase in its worldwide AI efforts with a strategic $1.5 billion investment in G42, an AI tech holding firm located in Abu Dhabi.

Microsoft has taken a giant leap forward in its quest to improve artificial intelligence (AI) research and increase the accessibility of cutting-edge technology in the UAE and throughout the world with the announcement of this cooperation on April 16.

G42 will run its artificial intelligence apps and services on Microsoft’s Azure platform as part of this collaboration.

Beyond the United Arab Emirates, this partnership hopes to provide big businesses and governments throughout the world with cutting-edge AI solutions.

This investment is part of a larger effort to diversify the UAE’s AI workforce and talent pool by strengthening skill development.

G42 chairman Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan called the investment a “pivotal” point in the company’s history and highlighted its importance.

The larger goals of the collaboration were emphasised by Microsoft VP and chair Brad Smith, who said, “Our two firms will work together not just in the UAE but to deliver AI and digital infrastructure and services to neglected countries.”

Further strengthening the strategic synergy between the two firms, Smith is also likely to join G42’s board of directors.

A trend of billion-dollar promises across different geographies by Microsoft includes this latest investment in G42.

For instance, the business pledged around 3 billion euros to improve Germany’s AI infrastructure over the next two years on February 15.

The following year, Microsoft announced plans to spend $2 billion on artificial intelligence infrastructure in Spain, with the goal of boosting the country’s expertise in technology.

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman recently announced plans for a “major, long-term investment” in the United Kingdom on April 9. The investment would involve recruiting efforts targeting “enthusiastic innovators.”

These initiatives show that Microsoft is actively trying to increase its AI presence throughout the world. Nevertheless, Microsoft isn’t the only one doing this.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has been meeting with Fortune 500 company leaders to promote AI services, with the goals of expanding OpenAI’s income streams and entering new industries. Altman wants to portray OpenAI as a rival to Microsoft, a big player in the artificial intelligence industry.

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