Recently, a Microsoft executive stated that the American tech giant plans to invest over $10 billion in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait from now until 2030, with investments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure. As the Iran related conflict continues, Microsoft has made digital resilience a core component of its regional strategy. Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith told Reuters that this investment reflects both ongoing infrastructure development and expansion of business operations in the region.

Gulf countries strive to build a global AI center

Gulf countries are investing billions of dollars in the development of artificial intelligence, aiming to build a global center for artificial intelligence and promote economic independence from oil and gas resources. These countries are hoping to attract large cloud service providers like Microsoft to land due to their abundant land and low-cost energy advantages. However, there are still many challenges in related fields, including difficulties in obtaining high-end chips and the uncertainty brought by war. Amazon Web Services' data centers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been attacked.

Microsoft increases investment in digital resilience

Smith said that all investment projects planned by Microsoft before the conflict broke out would continue to advance, and in fact, they would increase their investment. This is a very ambitious expenditure plan. He stated that as early as the first week after the conflict erupted on February 28, 2026, Microsoft provided support to local partners, including digital resilience assessment services. As part of a digital resilience program, Microsoft is currently assisting Gulf countries in preparing and protecting critical data. Smith stated that due to security and other factors, Microsoft is unable to provide a detailed breakdown of this planned investment by country or specific project. Keywords: High tech News Network, Computing Power, Artificial Intelligence

Deepen cooperation among local AI enterprises

Microsoft also plans to invest over $400 million in underwater and land network communication facilities in the Middle East by 2030. It is also strengthening cooperation with local artificial intelligence companies in various countries, including G42 in Abu Dhabi. In 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42 to acquire a minority stake, giving the American tech company a board seat currently held by Smith. He stated that this American tech giant is collaborating with Saudi Arabia's Humain and Qatar's Qai in the areas that both sides have prioritized, and pointed out that Microsoft does not intend to make capital investments in these companies.Editor/Gao Xue