Microsoft to invest $7.9 billion in UAE to scale AI with new Nvidia chips
Microsoft plans to spend over $5.5 billion on cloud and AI infrastructure and another $2.4 billion on operational expenses and local hiring in the United Arab Emirates through 2029.
US tech giant Microsoft said Monday it will spend more than $7.9 billion on data centers, cloud computing and staff in the United Arab Emirates over the next four years in a boost to the Gulf country’s AI ambitions.
What happened: In an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the ADIPEC energy summit in Abu Dhabi, Microsoft president Brad Smith said that with the new funding announcement, the Silicon Valley giant would have invested a total of $15.2 billion in the UAE between 2023 and 2029.
Smith said the investment includes plans to nearly triple the amount of Nvidia's advanced microchips Microsoft will operate in the Gulf state.
Of the $7.9 billion committed to the UAE, Microsoft plans to spend over $5.5 billion on cloud and AI infrastructure, from the start of next year to 2029, Smith said. The remaining $2.4 billion will be invested in operating expenses and local hiring.
