Apr 20, 2024 09:42 PM IST
In a blow to rivals, Satya Nadella has taken another step to cement Microsoft’s AI lead through a deal with G42 that looks akin to his gameplay with OpenAI.
When it comes to deal-making, there is no one better than Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. In case of doubt, just check how his deal with Sam Altman-led OpenAI, stole the thunder from the likes of Google, Meta Platforms, Apple, even Tesla chief Elon Musk and the rest of the tech world. It has arguably put Microsoft in the driver’s seat as far as driving the AI juggernaut forward is concerned.
But Nadella is not resting on his laurels. Since he is getting such great results from his amazing deals, he has continued to forge more relations. That applied recently to his deal with Inflection AI. Nadella had hired Mustafa Suleyman, a cofounder of Google’s DeepMind who was the CEO of Inflection AI to head a new AI division at Microsoft. While Inflection got $650 mn to pay off investors, Microsoft got its tech as well as the top techies. It was the same gameplan that landed OpenAI for Microsoft.
HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now!
Read More: OpenAI hits back at billionaire Elon Musk over ‘revisionist history’
The thing with these deals is that, not only does he get the best tech brains in the world to work for Microsoft, he also gets the best technology. Now, Nadella has gone ahead and pulled off another amazing deal and this one he managed despite the humongous hurdles it had presented. He has signed a $1.5 bn deal with Abu Dhabi-based firm G42, which has been linked to OpenAI and its chip-making plans. The problem was the company’s close ties with China and some companies there including the much-proscribed Huawei. So, it can be imagined how tough the going must have been when he must have broached the subject with the US administration.
Read More: Varyaa Creations IPO GMP and other details in brief ahead of launch
Nevertheless, he got the deal and in the bargain even persuaded G42 to cut its connections with China!
In his X post, Microsoft President Brad Smith said, “We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, trusted, and responsible AI, in close coordination with the governments of both the UAE and the United States.”
Read More: Should China’s TikTok be banned? It will cost US $25 bn, says ByteDance
Peng Xiao, Group Chief Executive Officer of G42, said, “Through Microsoft’s strategic investment, we are advancing our mission to deliver cutting-edge AI technologies at scale.”
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times’ newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we’ve got you covered.
Story Saved
