Abu Dhabi's ambitious vision to become the world's first fully AI-native government by 2027 has taken a significant leap forward through a strategic partnership with Microsoft and Core42, a subsidiary of G42. This collaboration aims to implement a sovereign cloud infrastructure capable of processing over 11 million daily digital interactions among government entities, citizens, and businesses.
Strategic Partnership Overview
The multi-year agreement, formalized in March 2025, brings together the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE), Microsoft, and Core42. The partnership was signed in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority.
Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of DGE, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, stating, "Technology has the power to transform how governments interact with people, making services more efficient, intuitive, and impactful."
Investment and Digital Strategy
To support this transformation, Abu Dhabi has committed AED 13 billion (approximately $3.54 billion) to its digital infrastructure under the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027. This investment is earmarked for automating all government processes and deploying over 200 AI-driven solutions aimed at enhancing public service efficiency, boosting operational productivity, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Technological Implementation
The collaboration leverages Core42's Sovereign Public Cloud, powered by Microsoft Azure and enhanced by the Insight platform, to ensure data sovereignty and regulatory compliance. This infrastructure is designed to support the UAE's goal of automating all government processes and deploying more than 200 AI-driven solutions to enhance public service efficiency.
Leadership Perspectives
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in government operations, stating that Abu Dhabi is setting a global standard for AI adoption in the public sector.
Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, emphasized that the partnership goes beyond technological advancement, representing a commitment to building a resilient, future-ready digital infrastructure.
Implications for Public Services
One of the notable implementations under this strategy is TAMM 3.0, Abu Dhabi's one-stop government services app. This platform has significantly reduced the number of offline customer visits by 90% and made more than 73% of transactions instantaneous, exemplifying the tangible benefits of digital transformation in public service delivery.
Broader Context and Future Outlook
This partnership builds upon previous collaborations between Microsoft and G42. In April 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42 to accelerate AI development and global expansion. Additionally, in September 2023, both companies announced plans to jointly offer sovereign cloud services in the UAE, expanding Microsoft's data center infrastructure in the country.
The alliance between Abu Dhabi, Microsoft, and Core42 signifies a pivotal step in the UAE's journey toward becoming a global leader in AI-driven governance. By integrating advanced cloud technologies and AI solutions, this initiative not only aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of government services but also sets a precedent for other nations aspiring to modernize their public sectors through digital transformation.
Source: MENAFN.com UAE's Sovereign Cloud Ambitions Strengthened By Microsoft-Core42 Alliance