Microsoft Launches $15.2bn AI Investment Drive in UAE
Tech giant Microsoft has unveiled a massive $15.2 billion investment in artificial intelligence and cloud computing across the United Arab Emirates. The company said the move reflects its long term commitment to driving digital transformation in the Gulf region.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chairman and president, revealed that the company has already invested $7.3 billion in the UAE since 2023. He added that another $7.9 billion will be spent by the end of 2029.
Boosting AI and Cloud Innovation
Smith explained that this investment is part of Microsoft’s broader plan to strengthen AI infrastructure and expand access to advanced technologies. “This is not money raised in the UAE. It’s money we’re spending in the UAE,” he wrote in a blog post during his visit to Abu Dhabi.
The announcement came as US chipmaker Nvidia saw its shares rise by 2.6 percent, reflecting investor optimism that the AI expansion could open new markets for its most powerful chips.
In addition, Smith shared that both the US and UAE governments have supported this initiative. The project also involves collaboration with G42, the UAE’s sovereign artificial intelligence company, marking a significant public private partnership in the region.
Building Data Centers and Expanding Access
According to Microsoft, nearly two thirds of the funds will go toward building new AI and cloud data centers across the UAE. The remaining portion will cover local operating expenses, workforce training, and digital skill development.
Smith noted that Microsoft was the first company to secure export licenses from the Trump administration to supply GPU chips to the UAE. This milestone paved the way for stronger technological ties between the two nations.
As a result, this major investment is expected to position the UAE as a leading AI and cloud innovation hub in the Middle East. It also reflects growing confidence in the region’s potential to become a global player in emerging technologies.
