Microsoft plans over $10bn Gulf investment, including in cloud and AI

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Microsoft plans to invest over $10 billion in the Gulf countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait by 2030, focusing on cloud and AI infrastructure. This move reflects efforts to diversify economies away from oil through technological advancements amidst regional tensions linked to the Iran war.

Microsoft plans over $10bn Gulf investment, including in cloud and AI Microsoft is planning to invest over $10bn across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait between now and 2030, including in cloud and AI infrastructure, a senior executive told Reuters on Wednesday. The US tech giant's investment reflects both its "ongoing build-out of infrastructure and also the expansion of operations in the region" to make digital resilience a key part of its strategy as the Iran war continues, its vice chair and president, Brad Smith, told Reuters. Gulf countries are pouring billions into AI as they strive to become global hubs to help diversify their economies away from oil and gas, betting that land abundance and access to cheap energy will lure hyperscalers, including Microsoft. Reporting by Reuters