Mashal Al-Jaber at a round table: Investing in artificial intelligence is a priority for Kuwait

The Director General of the Direct Investment Promotion Authority, Sheikh Dr. Mishal Al-Jaber, affirmed on Wednesday that Kuwait places investment in artificial intelligence and human capital at the core of its priorities, in line with the objectives of “Kuwait Vision 2035.” He made these remarks during his participation in a roundtable on “Digital Commitments in the Middle East,” organized by Microsoft under the theme “Technology, Trust, and Talent in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” in New York, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sheikh Mishal Al-Jaber stated that Kuwait recently signed a 10-year strategic partnership with Microsoft, as part of its drive to invest in artificial intelligence and develop human capital. He highlighted Kuwait’s strong commitment to empowering youth and equipping them with the necessary skills to keep pace with technological advancements and leverage the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence.

The roundtable agenda focused on ways to enhance cooperation between governments and the technology sector to deploy artificial intelligence in supporting economic growth, improving public services, and boosting competitiveness, alongside cybersecurity, data protection, and the continuity of digital services. Its key themes included linking investment in digital infrastructure to the development of local skills, strengthening institutional capabilities, and enhancing workforce readiness, thereby supporting long-term digital partnerships in the region.

During the event, Microsoft, through its Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, Brad Smith, announced a new framework for its commitments in the Middle East, initially focusing on Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, encompassing technology, digital resilience, and human capability development. The company also reaffirmed its intention to invest more than $10 billion in capital and operational expenditures in the region by 2030 to expand cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure, while strengthening cooperation in data protection, cybersecurity, and skills development.