ALBAWABA – Microsoft has announced the expansion of its Global Engineering Development Centre to Abu Dhabi, its first engineering centre in the Arab world.
The new centre will focus on developing AI innovations, cloud computing, and further cybersecurity solutions that will feed into Microsoft's ever-burgeoning portfolio of technology offerings around the world.
According to the Microsoft’s statement, the move further cements the UAE's position as an emerging center for technological innovation, underpinned by Microsoft's strategic tie-up with G42, a prominent local AI and cloud computing company.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, underscored the position of the city as an innovation hub capable of leading global efforts in AI and creating positive change in industries.
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, pointed out the importance of ensuring that life-changing technologies, such as AI, serve all and create new opportunities regionally and worldwide, saying “Our Engineering Development Center in Abu Dhabi will bring new talent to the region and help power innovation that will drive economic growth and job creation for both the UAE and the world.”
Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, highlighted this center's potential to enhance the UAE's technological ecosystem and further collaborative efforts with Microsoft in developing digital infrastructure, adding “While G42 and Microsoft have worked together in the past to drive advancements in AI and cloud infrastructure, this new center will complement our collective efforts in building a more robust digital future for the region and beyond.”
The center will also play a very important role in the upskilling of the regional workforce, in cooperation with universities and government initiatives to train professionals in cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity.
