Microsoft Establishes ‘Responsible AI’ Foundation in Abu Dhabi
- Chinmay
- February 11, 2025
- Artificial Intelligence
- AI Ethics, AI governance, AI infrastructure, AI Research, AI Summit, G42, MBZUAI, microsoft, Responsible AI, UAE AI
- 0 Comments
Microsoft, G42, and MBZUAI Partner to Promote Ethical AI Development
Microsoft has announced the launch of a foundation for responsible AI in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Emirati AI firm G42 and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The foundation aims to promote responsible AI standards and best practices across the Middle East and Global South, Microsoft revealed ahead of an AI summit in Paris.
This initiative highlights Microsoft’s commitment to ethical AI development, particularly as nations and corporations seek to shape AI governance and regulations. The foundation will work on developing frameworks, policies, and research initiatives to ensure AI is deployed ethically and inclusively.
Microsoft’s $1.5 Billion Investment in UAE’s AI Landscape
The launch follows Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in G42, which was announced in April 2024. G42, a key player in AI and cloud computing, is controlled by Tahnoon bin Zayed, the brother of the UAE president and the country’s national security advisor.
Meanwhile, MBZUAI continues to play a pivotal role in the global AI ecosystem, contributing to multiple international AI research projects. The university is also involved in various initiatives tied to the Paris AI Summit, where global political and tech leaders will convene on Monday and Tuesday.
UAE’s Expanding AI Influence and Global Collaborations
The UAE has emerged as a major force in AI development, forming strategic collaborations across multiple global technology hubs. Notably, France’s Polytechnique School recently announced a research partnership with MBZUAI, further strengthening France-UAE AI ties.
Additionally, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has signed an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron to construct a massive AI campus and data center in France, an initiative valued at up to $50 billion. The UAE’s investments in cutting-edge AI infrastructure position it as a key driver of AI adoption and innovation worldwide.
France’s AI Expansion and the Paris AI Summit
France is also actively bolstering its AI infrastructure. Ahead of the Paris AI Summit, the French government has offered 35 ready-to-use data center sites to potential investors, signaling its commitment to expanding processing power and storage capacity for AI applications.
With the Paris AI Summit serving as a crucial platform for AI governance and policy discussions, the launch of the Microsoft-G42-MBZUAI Responsible AI Foundation is expected to have a lasting impact on the ethical AI landscape in the region and beyond.
