In a major step to enhance digital sovereign capabilities and develop a platform for AI in the UAE, Microsoft and Core42, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based technology conglomerate G42, have partnered to introduce a pioneering sovereign AI cloud to the UAE.
This collaboration will offer a secure, standards-compliant and innovation-focused cloud operating environment designed specifically to address the specialized regulatory and data-residency needs of the UAE’s government entities and the nation’s enterprises operating in regulated industries.
The joint venture will harness the strength and scalability of Microsoft Azure, combined with Core42’s experience in sovereign cloud solutions and AI infrastructure.
This combination will create a platform that keeps data in-country in accordance with strict local laws and international standards — all while encouraging organizations to unlock the full potential of AI.
This reflects the UAE’s vision to be one of the world’s most innovative and advanced countries in AI and digital technologies.
The collaboration aims to build a strong sovereign cloud capability to enable government, financial services, healthcare and other key industries to advance their use of highly innovative AI tools on highly sensitive data, in compliancy with data residency and other legislative requirements.
The sovereign AI cloud platform will provide an integrated stack of services, such as secure storage and data processing, advanced AI and machine learning capabilities, and cybersecurity.
This will help enable UAE organizations to create their own AI based solutions, across a broad spectrum of applications, from enhancing citizen services and bettering health outcomes, to accelerating new business and innovation across industries.
This partnership follows other collaborations between Microsoft and G42, reinforcing their shared endeavor to assist the UAE with its digital transformation process.
The establishment of the independent AI cloud platform is a decisive stride in achieving the country’s ambitious objectives in the era of AI and bringing in a secure and innovative digital future for the UAE.
Analysts believe this collaboration will serve as a benchmark for sovereign clouds in the region and beyond, showing that there is a way for countries to adopt cloud and AI technologies while keeping data sovereign and compliant with regulations.