Microsoft’s efforts to advance its AI developments lead it to start two AI centers in Abu Dhabi, a growing hub for AI technology.
With various big-name tech companies worldwide looking to expand their foothold in the burgeoning AI market, Microsoft has aligned its expansion plans with that of the United Arab Emirates. Not too long ago, it joined forces with an Emirati AI company, G42, investing $1.5 billion in the venture to accelerate the technology’s development. Now, it has announced its plans to start two AI centers in Abu Dhabi to propel AI development even further.
The first of the two will be co-founded and co-funded by G42 and has received blessings from Abu Dhabi’s Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), an agency crucial to setting AI policies in the UAE. According to Microsoft, this first center “will identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South.”
The second center will engender the creation of AI use cases that work toward “societal goals” and is an expansion of its AI for Good Research Lab. This center will work with non-profits and grassroots organizations to gauge the need for AI in economic and social scenarios, developing solutions accordingly. It will also create large language models (LLM) to deploy AI solutions that tend to individuals communicating in underrepresented languages “to bridge the global language divide.”
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, said, “Today’s steps will add to the important progress Microsoft and G42 are making to broaden access to the responsible, safe, and secure use of artificial intelligence.” Peng Xiao, G42’s Group CEO, stated, “These new centers reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritizes safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south.”
AI and Blockchain Go Hand in Hand
AI and blockchain use cases have observed intertwined development since AI technology emerged into the mainstream. Decentralized AI platforms form one of the most utilized categories in the blockchain realm. Furthermore, Bitcoin miners are diversifying their operations to provide power to AI companies.
