The Arabian Peninsula and the hinterland of the Gulf, stretching thousands of miles, are welcoming a brand new landing for an old tech giant. Microsoft, which has been deeply rooted in the Middle East for more than 30 years, has launched a new regional cooperation framework that integrates technology foundation, digital resilience, and talent cultivation, helping Gulf countries seize the opportunity in this AI era race.

Launching a regional cooperation framework

Microsoft entered the Middle East market in 1991 and has been investing for over 30 years. It has now launched a new cooperation framework, with priority coverage in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Microsoft is optimistic about the prospects of AI transformation in Gulf countries and will expand regional investment, focusing on technology, digital resilience, and talent development. By 2030, it will collaborate with local partners to implement a series of measures.

Building a Technical Safety Base

Microsoft plans to invest over $10 billion in the Middle East by 2030 to expand cloud and AI computing power, collaborate with local AI leaders, and promote sovereign cloud and multilingual AI research and development. An additional investment of over 400 million US dollars will be made to improve the land sea communication network. The project balances water resource protection and clean energy. At the same time, we will launch a special project on digital resilience, strengthen network security, build an AI governance system, and rely on the AI Xiangshan Laboratory to carry out AI research on people's livelihoods. Keywords: Microsoft, Middle East, Artificial Intelligence

Cultivate local AI talents

Microsoft will promote inclusive AI skills training, aiming to help over 4.2 million people master relevant skills by 2030. Provide training for public officials, students, and industrial workers, expand women's learning channels, collaborate with universities to improve AI teaching systems, adapt to employment needs in the AI era, and support local talent strategies in the four countries. Microsoft will continue to engage in long-term cooperation with various parties in the Middle East.Editor/Gong Ziwei