In mid-April this year, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, a prominent artificial intelligence (Al) firm based in the UAE.
This investment is a small component of the UAE's broader strategy to become a global leader in Al.
In recent years, the country has aggressively pursued this goal, leveraging the technology to diversify its economy away from oil dependence.
The UAE has been proactive in the Al sector from the beginning.
Notably, in 2017, it appointed the world's first Al minister, Omar bin Sultan al-Olama, who was just 27 at the time.
His mandate is to transform the UAE into an Al powerhouse by 2031.