- This strategic investment will enhance the UAE’s position as a global AI hub and provide more opportunities for partners and customers to innovate and grow.
- G42 and Microsoft will collaborate to ensure the benefits of secure AI technologies and cloud resources are shared responsibly with growing economies around the world.
- Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith will have a seat on the G42 board.
- Both companies will support the establishment of a $1 billion fund for developers.
- The partnership includes a first-of-its-kind intergovernmental assurance agreement, as both parties commit to world-leading standards in AI safety and security.
ABU DHABI , UAE and DALLAS , April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — G42, a leading UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology holding company, and Microsoft today announced a $1 strategic investment .5 billion from Microsoft in G42. The investment will strengthen the two companies’ collaboration to bring Microsoft’s latest AI technologies and upskilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries around the world. As part of this expanded partnership, Brad Smith , vice chairman and president of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors.
This expanded collaboration will empower organizations of all sizes in new markets to leverage the benefits of AI and the cloud, while ensuring they adopt AI that adheres to world-leading standards in safety and security.
Building on the two organizations’ long-standing collaboration on AI and digital transformation initiatives, Microsoft’s investment deepens the reciprocal commitment to this strategic partnership. G42 will run its AI applications and services on Microsoft Azure and will partner to provide advanced AI solutions to global public sector customers and large enterprises. G42 and Microsoft will also work together to bring advanced AI and digital infrastructure to countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa, providing these nations with equitable access to services to address important government and business concerns, while ensuring the most high standards of security and privacy.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Chairman of the Board of G42 , said: “Microsoft’s investment in G42 marks a pivotal moment in our company’s growth and innovation journey, signifying a strategic alignment of vision and execution between the two organizations . This partnership is a testament to shared values and aspirations for progress, promoting greater cooperation and synergy globally.”
The partnership will also support the development of a skilled and diverse AI workforce and talent pool that will drive innovation and competitiveness for the UAE and the wider region, with the investment of US$1 billion in a fund development for developers.
“Our two companies will work together not just in the UAE, but to bring AI and digital infrastructure and services to underserved nations,” said Brad Smith , vice chairman and president of Microsoft . “We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, reliable and responsible AI, in close coordination with the UAE and US governments.”
The commercial partnership is supported by assurances to both governments through a first-of-its-kind agreement to apply world-class best practices to ensure the safe, reliable and responsible development and deployment of AI. Microsoft and G42 will work closely together and elevate the security and compliance framework of their joint international infrastructure. Both companies will move forward with a commitment to comply with U.S. and international trade, security, responsible AI, and business integrity laws and regulations. Work on these topics is governed by a detailed Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement (IGAA) between G42 and Microsoft, which was developed in close consultation with the UAE and US governments.
Peng Xiao , Group CEO of G42, said, “Through Microsoft’s strategic investment, we are advancing our mission to deliver cutting-edge AI technologies at scale. This partnership significantly increases our international market presence by combining the unique capabilities of G42’s AI with Microsoft’s robust global infrastructure. Together, we are not only expanding our operational horizons, but also setting new standards for innovation in the industry.”
Samer Abu-Ltaif , Corporate Vice President and President, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Microsoft, added: “Our investment in G42 is a testament to the thriving and dynamic technology scene in the UAE and the wider region. This strategic partnership is well positioned to generate opportunities for our customers and partners, accelerate innovation and drive economic growth. With G42, we will introduce cutting-edge technologies that will enable countries and markets to advance their digital agendas by leveraging the power of the cloud and. of AI.”
The collaboration between G42 and Microsoft has expanded through several milestones over the past year. This includes a joint plan announced in April 2023 to develop AI solutions tailored to the public sector and industry, leveraging Microsoft’s extensive partner ecosystem and cloud capabilities. In September 2023, the companies entered into an agreement to introduce sovereign cloud offerings and collaborate to unlock the potential of advanced AI capabilities on the Azure public cloud platform. Lastly, in November 2023, Microsoft announced the availability of G42’s Jais Arabic Large Language Model in the new Azure AI Cloud Model-as-a-Service offering.
About Microsoft Microsoft
(Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and edge. Its mission is to empower every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more.
About G42
G42 is a technology holding group, a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better future. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating around the world, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across all industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, the G42 realizes exponential possibilities today.
To learn more, visit www.g42.ai
Media Contacts
For Microsoft
Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications for Microsoft, (425) 638-7777
rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com
For G42
Ulviyya Hasanzade, Director of Corporate Communications, G42
ulviyya.hasanzade@g42.ai
SOURCE G42