Abu Dhabi Inks Landmark Multi-Year Deal With Microsoft, G42
The agreement is set to help realize Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027.
The Abu Dhabi Government, through its Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE), has signed a multi-year partnership with global tech giant Microsoft and Core42, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing company G42, to implement a sovereign cloud system that unlocks increasing efficiencies and innovations in the provision of government services.
This collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Government, Microsoft, and G42 is set to result in a unified, high-performance sovereign cloud computing environment capable of processing more than 11 million daily digital interactions between Abu Dhabi Government entities, citizens, residents, and businesses.
The landmark deal was signed by Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, in the presence of HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council, as well as Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and member of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council.
In a statement, Microsoft’s Nadella said, "AI will transform how governments operate and serve their citizens everywhere, and Abu Dhabi is leading the way. Through our partnership with the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and G42, we are setting a standard for AI adoption in the public sector, as we help Abu Dhabi become the world’s first AI-native government."
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G42’s Xiao said, “This agreement marks a pivotal step in G42’s commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming the world’s first fully AI-native government. Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, powered by Azure and enhanced by our sovereign controls platform, Insight, enables government entities to maintain data sovereignty while harnessing hyperscale innovation. This initiative goes beyond a technological leap; it is a commitment to building a resilient, future-ready digital infrastructure for AI modernization across Abu Dhabi government entities and sets a global benchmark for innovation.”
DGE’s Al Kuttab added, “Technology has the power to transform how governments interact with people, making services more efficient, intuitive, and impactful. This partnership is a critical milestone in our digital transformation. By combining Microsoft's cloud technologies, G42's AI expertise, and the Government’s strategic vision, we are helping to enable a powerful platform that will redefine government services."
As part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s ambition to enable the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027, the UAE capital also aims to automate 100 percent of its government processes, supported by AED13 billion (US$3.54 billion) investment in digital infrastructure through the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
This Strategy is set to see over 200 AI-driven solutions deployed to improve public service delivery, boost operational productivity, and contribute to environmental sustainability. An example of this effort can be seen in Abu Dhabi’s one-stop government services app, TAMM 3.0, which has reduced the number of offline customer visits by 90 percent, and made more than 73 percent of transactions instantaneous.
Pictured in the lead image is G42's Peng Xiao, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, Abu Dhabi Deputy Ruler HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi.
