Microsoft has announced a major investment to enable local data processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the UAE, marking a milestone in the nation’s push toward secure and sovereign artificial intelligence.
The new capability, available in early 2026, will allow qualified UAE organisations to process and store Copilot interactions entirely within the country’s borders.
Hosted in Microsoft’s advanced cloud data centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s AI vision while ensuring compliance with local data protection and cybersecurity standards.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said the move reflects the UAE’s ambition to remain a global leader in AI innovation and responsible deployment. He added that partnering with Microsoft on sovereign AI infrastructure strengthens the nation’s digital sovereignty and global partnerships.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI, which aim to foster safe and forward-looking AI adoption across government and private sectors.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, praised Microsoft’s proactive role in advancing secure AI services that align with national policies. The collaboration also involves the Dubai Electronic Security Centre and G42 International to ensure full compliance with UAE data governance frameworks.
Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, described the announcement as a pivotal moment in the company’s partnership with the UAE. With over 152,000 jobs projected from Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem and plans to train one million UAE learners in AI by 2027, the initiative underscores Microsoft’s role in powering the country’s digital transformation.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
