G42, Microsoft unveil Responsible AI Foundation

G42 and Microsoft have officially launched the Responsible AI Foundation, marking the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East.

Supported by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the foundation aims to promote responsible AI standards and best practices across the Middle East and Global South.

Inception, a subsidiary of G42, will serve as the Programme Lead for the foundation, advancing its mission to ensure that AI development remains both ethical and inclusive.

Microsoft, in collaboration with G42, has also announced the expansion of its AI for Good Lab to Abu Dhabi, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for responsible AI development.

Responsible AI Foundation’s focus areas

The Responsible AI Foundation will launch with two key areas:

1. Responsible AI research: The foundation will lead cutting-edge research into both the technical and ethical elements of Responsible AI. This includes developing methodologies for AI safety, bias mitigation techniques, and explainability tools. Collaboration with global and regional research institutions will set new standards for AI fairness, transparency, and accountability.
2. Responsible AI implementation and governance: The foundation will design frameworks to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI systems that account for cultural diversity. These frameworks will involve risk assessment models, external ethics boards, technical audit tools, and adaptable governance guidelines to ensure that AI adoption is responsible, inclusive, and tailored to regional needs.

Additionally, the AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi will serve as a regional hub, working with NGOs and governmental organizations to harness AI in addressing societal challenges in the Middle East and Global South.

The first researchers at the Abu Dhabi hub will begin their work in March of this year.