The UAE’s G42 and tech giant Microsoft have unveiled the Responsible AI Foundation, a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting ethical and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) practices across the Middle East and the Global South. The announcement was made on Sunday during the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, with support from research partner Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
A Landmark Initiative for Responsible AI
The Responsible AI Foundation is the first of its kind in the region and will be led by Inception, a G42 subsidiary, which will oversee the foundation’s program development. Alongside this initiative, Microsoft also announced the expansion of its AI for Good Lab to Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the UAE’s growing role as a global hub for responsible AI development.
Key Areas of Focus
The new foundation will concentrate on two primary objectives:
- Advancing Ethical AI Research
- Developing AI safety methodologies and bias mitigation techniques
- Creating transparency and explainability tools to enhance AI accountability
- Collaborating with global and regional research institutions to set new benchmarks for AI fairness and responsibility
- Establishing Governance and Ethical Frameworks
- Designing risk assessment models and external ethics boards
- Implementing technical audit tools and culturally adaptive governance policies
- Ensuring AI adoption aligns with ethical standards and regional needs
A Global Commitment to Safe and Fair AI
Dr. Andrew Jackson, Group Responsible AI Officer at G42, emphasized the foundation’s mission to translate AI principles into real-world solutions, ensuring AI remains safe, fair, and aligned with societal values.
Microsoft’s Natasha Crampton, Vice President and Chief Responsible AI Officer, highlighted the significance of extending responsible AI governance beyond the West, stating that this initiative will help create a competitive AI economy rooted in good governance and ethical practices.
Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, described the foundation as a transformative step toward ensuring AI serves societal needs while maintaining ethical integrity.
Dr. Laura Haaber Ihle has been appointed Vice-President of Governance, Policy & Ethics at the Responsible AI Foundation, making her the entity’s first official hire.
AI for Good Lab Expands to Abu Dhabi
Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi will collaborate with NGOs and governmental organizations to leverage AI for addressing societal challenges. The first group of researchers at the Abu Dhabi hub is set to begin work in March 2025, focusing on impactful projects across the Middle East and the Global South.
With these initiatives, the UAE is reinforcing its commitment to shaping an ethical AI future, ensuring responsible innovation that benefits societies worldwide.
