New Delhi, Feb 10 : Microsoft has announced plans to launch a foundation dedicated to promoting “responsible” artificial intelligence (AI) in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This initiative is a collaboration between Microsoft, Emirati AI developer G42, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The foundation aims to establish ethical AI standards and best practices across the Middle East and the Global South. The announcement comes ahead of an AI summit in Paris, which will bring together global political leaders, tech industry executives, and AI experts.

This initiative follows Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in G42 in April 2024. G42, which is led by UAE national security advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed, plays a key role in the nation’s AI ambitions. Meanwhile, MBZUAI has actively participated in various AI initiatives, including those linked to the Paris AI summit. The summit will serve as a platform for discussions on the future of AI, bringing together key stakeholders to shape regulatory frameworks and technological advancements in artificial intelligence.

The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leader in AI, fostering global partnerships, including collaborations with France. Paris’s prestigious Polytechnique school recently announced a research partnership with MBZUAI. Additionally, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a landmark agreement to develop a $50 billion AI campus and data center in France. As the AI landscape evolves, both the UAE and France are positioning themselves as key players in shaping AI infrastructure and ethical AI governance on a global scale.