Abu Dhabi signs sovereign cloud deal with Microsoft and G42
Multi-year partnership to enable 11 million daily interactions via sovereign cloud
#UAE #USA #sovereigncloud - The Government of Abu Dhabi has signed a multi-year partnership with Microsoft and Core42, a G42 company specialising in sovereign cloud, AI infrastructure and digital services, to implement a sovereign cloud system enabling 11 million daily government interactions. The agreement falls under Abu Dhabi’s $3.54 billion digital strategy for 2025-2027 announced by the government in January. The new agreement was announced during the start of official visit to Washington DC of Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also chairman of G42 Group.
SO WHAT? - Although Abu Dhabi’s landmark AED 13 billion ($3.54 billion) digital strategy for 2025-2027 was announced by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council in January, no technology partners have been announced in connection with the plan. Today’s announcement confirms that Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, powered by Microsoft Azure will be behind digital strategy and that Core42, will be leading the development of the project. The 2025-2027 strategy will see 100% of processes digitised and automated, integrating AI throughout.
Key point regarding this announcement:
The Government of Abu Dhabi Government has signed a multi-year agreement with Microsoft and G42 sovereign cloud company Core42 to implement a sovereign cloud computing system.
The announcement came at the beginning of the official visit to Washington DC by H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, during which he will meet with a number of US officials at the White House, plus U.S. business and technology leaders.
The agreement was signed by by H.E. Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42.
Sheikh Tahnoon; and H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala, vice chair of MGX were also present at the signing.
The initiative is backed by a $3.54 billion (AED13 billion) investment under the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027. The sovereign cloud developed by Microsoft and Core42 for Abu Dhabi Government will process more than 11 million digital interactions daily between government entities, citizens, businesses, and residents.
Abu Dhabi aims to be the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, automating 100% of its services. The government plans to deploy over 200 AI-driven solutions to improve public service delivery, operational productivity, and environmental sustainability.
Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, powered by Microsoft Azure and enhanced by G42’s Insight platform, ensures data sovereignty while enabling AI modernisation.
ZOOM OUT - Among the top items on the agenda for the high profile Washington DC visit of Sheikh Tahnoon is a request for preferential access to U.S. artificial intelligence technology, including the powerful chips that are required for the most powerful AI supercomputers. The outgoing Biden administration announced a new policy on advanced technology export regulations announced in January, which many see as potentially restrictive to countries investing in AI R&D. G42 shareholder Microsoft last month called on the Trump administration to overhaul the Biden administration's AI export restrictions that limit advanced AI chip sales to key allies.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about related stories:
Responsible AI Foundation launched by G42 and Microsoft (Middle East AI News)
Microsoft chief urges Trump to scrap AI export policy (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi to invest in $3.54B government digital strategy (Middle East AI News)
Microsoft to open Global Eng. Development Centre (Middle East AI News)
G42 & Microsoft prioritise responsible AI (Middle East AI News)
Microsoft's $1.5 billion investment a pivotal moment for G42 (Middle East AI News)