Microsoft plans to invest $15.2 billion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 2029 to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure, strengthen the local digital workforce, and deepen U.S.-UAE technology collaboration.
The project will be implemented through Microsoft’s partnership with Abu Dhabi-based G42 and will strengthen technology ties between the two countries. The investment plan includes $7.3 billion in 2023–2025 and an additional $7.9 billion in 2026–2029. The bulk of this funding will be spent on expanding data centers, local operations, and AI infrastructure.
Microsoft has already received a license to import about 80,000 NVIDIA A100-class GPUs. This is aimed at increasing the country’s AI computing power.
The company will implement a large-scale program that will train 1 million people by 2027, including civil servants and students. It also launched the Global Engineering Development Center and the AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi.
The Responsible AI Future Foundation, an initiative created by Microsoft, G42 and the Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, serves to develop ethical AI standards.
The project aims to strengthen the UAE’s regional leadership in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, as well as contribute to economic diversification and sustainable development goals.
