Kuwait partners with Microsoft to drive AI and digital transformation

06/03/2025 04:51 AST

Kuwait's Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) and the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) signed a strategic partnership agreement with Microsoft Corporation, marking the Kuwaiti government's second collaboration to accelerate digital transformation and enhance artificial intelligence (AI) development across government entities.

This partnership is a milestone in advancing AI applications to support Kuwait's economic diversification, innovation and entrepreneurship. It will help train the national workforce, enhance IT skills, and prepare individuals for leadership roles, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Saud Al-Omar said at Wednesday's signing ceremony.

The agreement includes plans to launch an AI data center, an integrated AI system, a center for promoting the digital economy and state services, and a center of excellence in cloud auditing. The government will also provide civil servants with access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, making Kuwait one of the first countries in the region to implement these solutions, which aim to enhance productivity and improve state services, Al-Omar noted.

He highlighted that the establishment of cloud auditing centers, improvements in digital infrastructure, and fast access to Microsoft services are key factors in attracting global investors and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Kuwait. "A significant portion of all our agreements is dedicated to developing workforce skills," Al-Omar added.

Samer Abu-Ltaif, Microsoft's President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, announced that as part of the partnership, Microsoft aims to train 4,500 government officials in cybersecurity and AI, along with 30,000 individuals on the Copilot system. Microsoft operates in Kuwait under a license from the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), reinforcing its 25-year presence in the country, which has included cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When asked about the 4,500 government officials, Abu-Ltaif noted that they would be certified to train others, underscoring the initiative's long-term value. He also emphasized that Kuwait's AI data center - the first of its kind in the region - along with the government's strong commitment over the past two years, played a key role in Microsoft's decision to move forward with the agreement.

A Goldman Sachs report highlights the energy-intensive nature of AI technologies, stating that a single ChatGPT query requires 10 times more energy than a standard Google search due to the high computational power needed for AI-driven queries. In response to rising energy demands, major tech companies - including Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta - are investing billions in nuclear energy to power their data centers.

Microsoft, for instance, has signed a $1.6 billion deal to reopen the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor, which was shut down in 1979. The facility is expected to be restored by 2028 to support Microsoft's growing AI infrastructure. Unlike renewable energy sources, which are intermittent, nuclear power provides a continuous and scalable energy supply, making it a more reliable option for AI operations.

When asked by Kuwait Times whether discussions between Microsoft and the Kuwaiti government, represented by Minister Al-Omar, included energy demands and strategies to meet them, the minister responded: "I don't want to delve into the Ministry of Electricity's affairs, but they have projects in the pipeline that include renewable energy."

Kuwait Times