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Exploring impact of Microsoft-G42 deal on global technology landscape
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Last month, G42, UAE’s leading AI technology holding company, and Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion strategic investment by Microsoft in G42. The deal is aimed at ensuring the benefits of secure AI technologies and cloud capabilities are responsibly shared globally.
The investment is set to strengthen the companies’ collaboration on bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other nations. Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, has joined the G42 Board of Directors.
The crucial Microsoft-G42 partnership has been making headlines globally. Smith recently said the high-profile agreement bringing both companies together could eventually involve the transfer of sophisticated chips and tools.
At G42, our mission is to make AI accessible and equitable for all and this partnership reflects our dedication to using technology for positive impact.
— G42 (@G42ai) May 23, 2024
Giving security assurances to home governments
Speaking to Reuters, Smith noted that the sales accord could progress to a second phase that entails the export of vital components of AI technology such as “model weights” – a critical part of an AI model that defines its capability of responding to questions or prompts.
In the next steps, the deal requires the approval of the US Department of Commerce. Microsoft executives have said that the agreement includes safeguards to protect the company’s technology and prevent it from being used by Chinese entities to train AI systems.
But those measures have not been made public and some US policymakers are concerned over whether they are adequate. The closed-door nature of negotiations between the private companies over the terms of transfers of US technology has made some worried.
The Microsoft-G42 agreement requires each company to give security assurances to their respective home governments, but there is no direct agreement between the US and the UAE governing the transfer of sensitive technologies.
Comprehensive digital ecosystem initiative in Kenya
Today, in partnership with @G42ai, we are announcing a $1B investment in Kenya which represents the single largest and broadest private digital investment in the country’s history. It reflects our confidence in the country, the government, its people, and the future of East… pic.twitter.com/3e9dtwlMH4
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) May 22, 2024
The broad intent of the deal is for both Microsoft and G42 to jointly take AI technology into regions where neither could do so as effectively alone. One of the earliest examples is a deal in Kenya announced just recently.
Both companies have announced a comprehensive package of digital investments in Kenya. In collaboration with Microsoft and other stakeholders, G42 is set to lead the arrangement of an initial investment of $1 billion for the various components outlined in the package.
One of the priorities is a green data centre – to be built by G42 and its partners to run Microsoft Azure in a East Africa Cloud Region. The data centre will run entirely on renewable geothermal energy and use state-of-the-art water conservation technology.
Ramez covers the News and Reports sections on The Gulf Independent. He holds a notable experience spanning more than six years, delivering timely and informative content on noteworthy developments in the vast Gulf region. Interest: Ramez is your dependable compass for the freshest, unbiased and elaborate coverage of the Middle East and Gulf regional news and events. He believes in the power of giving each story a unique perspective, subsequently inspiring conversation and promoting transparency. Education and Experience: Armed with a promising degree in Journalism and Digital Media from the prestigious American University of Sharjah in the UAE, Ramez has been helping audiences get a better understanding of the region's sensitive issues and massive potential. Email Id: https://twitter.com/RamezSpectnews
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