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Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026
1 story1 Microsoft Pledges $10B Gulf Investment in First Update Since Iran War AI Sep 23, 3:30 PM EDT 16/15
The software giant is extending its financial commitment to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to accelerate their transition to artificial intelligence. Total spending across these four nations will exceed $10 billion by 2030, with approximately $400 million allocated to undersea cables and related infrastructure. This framework increases Microsoft's regional funding by roughly $2 billion beyond a $7.9 billion pledge made to the UAE last year.
Vice Chair and President Brad Smith stated the investment targets digital resilience and local partnerships with governments and educational institutions. Microsoft has served the region since 1991 and this expansion is the first update on the company's regional business since the start of the US war with Iran.