The Abu Dhabi government on Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement with Microsoft and Core42 to enhance the efficiency of government services in the digital sphere.
The agreement between the Department of Government Empowerment, Microsoft, and Core42 was signed in the presence of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and member of the Council for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology.
It was signed by Ahmed Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Empowerment – Abu Dhabi, Satya Nadella, Chairman and chief executive of Microsoft, and Peng Xiao, chief executive of Group 42, the parent company of Core42, which specialises in sovereign cloud technology, artificial intelligence and digital services.
The partnership will establish high-performance cloud software capable of processing more than 11 million digital transactions per day between government entities, citizens, residents and businesses.
Microsoft's UAE general manager Naim Yazbeck reflected on the significance of the announcement.
"Digital transformation and innovation are indispensable to creating modern, citizen centric governments," he told The National.
"Together, we are committed to supporting the Abu Dhabi government in enhancing public services, engaging with citizens, and making data-driven decisions to achieve better societal outcomes."
Mr Yazbeck added that by using advanced technologies in a secure and responsible manner, many people and organisations throughout the UAE will be empowered "to achieve more."
Leading the AI revolution
The Abu Dhabi government aims to be the first government in the world to fully rely on artificial intelligence by 2027, aiming to automate 100 per cent of its government operations, supported by Dh13 million investment in digital infrastructure. The strategy will put into effect more than 200 AI-powered solutions to improve government service delivery, enhance productivity and contribute to environmental sustainability.
“Technology has the power to transform how governments interact with people, making services more efficient, intuitive and impactful," Mr Al Kuttab said. "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."
"Artificial intelligence will push the boundaries and capabilities of government work and serve its communities everywhere around the world," Satya Nadella, chief executive and chairman of Microsoft, said. "Abu Dhabi is a pioneer in this field. Through our partnership with the Department of Government Empowerment and Group 42, we are setting new standards for adopting artificial intelligence in the government sector and supporting Abu Dhabi's efforts to become the world's first AI-powered government."
US visit points to the future
It comes after Sheikh Tahnoon met Trump administration officials and business leaders on Monday at the White House for discussions on artificial intelligence, economic co-operation and investment partnerships. During the visit, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Yousef Al Otaiba, Minister of State and the UAE's ambassador to the US, also met US Vice President JD Vance.
They met with Mr Vance “to discuss deepening UAE-US collaboration on supporting energy investment and abundance, technological leadership, and unleashing unprecedented economic growth”, the UAE embassy in the US said in a post on X. Mr Al Otaiba said that the UAE was looking to expand its significant investment in the US and grow its technology partnership with the country in AI, advanced technology, energy, infrastructure and life sciences.
“The US remains our key partner in these and other areas,” the post on X read. “We have ambitious plans to do even more in and with the US.”
Sheikh Tahnoon meeting tech execs – in pictures
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Motori Profile
Date started: March 2020
Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa
Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi
Sector: Insurance Sector
Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Safe City Group
The five pillars of Islam
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
HAJJAN
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
More on Quran memorisation:
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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