Microsoft inaugurated a center of excellence for energy – known as ‘Microsoft Energy Core’ – in the UAE. The initiative and facility aims to accelerate digital transformation; build coalitions for responsible innovation, and drive skilling initiatives in the energy sector. The center will also help contribute towards environmental sustainability of the industry – a key element of the company’s global commitment towards climate innovation.
The virtual launch event was attended by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and Samer Abu Ltaif, President for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, along with several industry customers and partners.
Launched in collaboration with 10 founding partners including ABB, Accenture, AVEVA, BakerHughesC3.ai, Emerson, Honeywell, Maana, Rockwell Automation, Schlumberger, and Sensia – Microsoft Energy Core covers four pillars:
The first is enabling digital transformation, where Microsoft and its partners will establish digital innovation capacities by creating a world-class energy executive briefing, and solutions development center. Second, through building coalitions with energy operators, power & utility organizations, renewable energy companies, academic institutions, and industry bodies, the Energy Core pursues strategic collaborations through a vibrant industry board that drives thought leadership for responsible innovation, across the energy value chain.
Closing the skills gap and enhancing employability is the third pillar of the Energy Core, empowering energy industry professionals to spearhead their organizations’ digital transformation agendas by skilling and reskilling for digital readiness. The Energy Core is launching an AI Academy as a building block to equip the industry workforce with the necessary AI skills. This extends to undergraduate and post-graduate students as well, to prepare a future-ready workforce.
And fourth, as part of Microsoft’s global commitment, the facility will focus on sustainability and societal impact, by actively pursuing the development of innovative solutions built on AI to solve the most pressing challenges of the energy industry.
