As part of its broader strategic planning, Microsoft has invested $1.50 billion in UAE artificial intelligence company G42. This deal provides Microsoft with access to large amounts of data, a strong capital market, and more relaxed regulatory environments. Microsoft established its first cloud data center in the UAE in 2019. As part of the recent deal, G42 will use Microsoft's cloud computing platform Azure as the backbone for the development and deployment of its artificial intelligence services to all customers. In addition to the UAE, Microsoft and G42 also plan to establish data centers in other countries, including the East African country. In addition, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also traveled to the UAE several times to build a global artificial intelligence alliance, and said earlier this year that the region could become a "regulatory sandbox" for global artificial intelligence testing.