G42 and Microsoft launch Responsible AI Foundation in the Middle East
G42 and Microsoft have officially announced the launch of the Responsible AI Foundation, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The initiative aims to promote responsible artificial intelligence (AI) standards and best practices in the region and the Global South, according to a statement from G42.
The Responsible AI Foundation will work with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence as a research partner. Meanwhile, Inception, a company under G42, will serve as the institution’s program lead.
The foundation will focus on two main areas: responsible AI research and responsible AI implementation and governance. According to the statement, the research efforts will focus on “advancing both technical and ethical elements of responsible AI through cutting-edge research. This includes developing AI safety methodologies, bias mitigation techniques, and explainability tools while fostering collaboration with global and regional research institutions to set new standards for AI fairness, transparency, and accountability.”
In the area of AI implementation and governance, the foundation will be “Developing frameworks to ensure ethical development and deployment of AI systems, accounting for cultural diversity. This will involve designing risk assessment models, external ethics boards, technical audit tools, and adaptable governance guidelines that account for regional needs, ensuring AI adoption is both responsible and inclusive.”
Furthermore, Microsoft is expanding its AI for Good Lab to Abu Dhabi with the goal of assisting initiatives that target societal issues. The lab will work with both NGOs and governmental organizations on projects in the Global South and the Middle East.
Back in April 2024, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42. More recently, LEAP 2025 saw over $7.5 billion in investments in digital infrastructure, including data centers and fiber-optic networks, aimed at advancing AI innovation.
