Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Microsoft have signed deals to integrate artificial intelligence across the oil company's value chain and to power the tech company's global AI and data centre growth.
Adnoc and Microsoft's expanded agreement will include Masdar and XRG, which will develop sustainable energy projects and infrastructure to drive the expansion of Microsoft’s AI and data centres, Adnoc said on Sunday.
Adnoc and Microsoft will co-develop and embed AI agents to drive autonomous operations and boost efficiency, adding to Adnoc's use of AI across its operations.
Microsoft is to also provide advanced AI tools and training programmes, while the companies will explore “transformative” solutions for the energy sector.
Adnoc, Masdar and XRG are not only embedding AI into every layer of our operations - we are also advancing the energy systems that will power AI itself
Dr Sultan Al Jaber,
UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Adnoc's managing director and group chief executive, executive chairman of XRG and chairman of Masdar
“As AI continues to reshape how value is created and enhanced across industries, Adnoc, Masdar and XRG are not only embedding AI into every layer of our operations – we are also advancing the energy systems that will power AI itself,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Adnoc's managing director and group chief executive, executive chairman of XRG and chairman of Masdar.
“Through our partnership with Microsoft, we are unlocking new opportunities to fuel the future of AI, drive greater performance, and future-proof our business.”
One in five energy companies is using agentic AI to automate complex decision-making, with cases of the technology being used in the sector increasing, a recent report has found.
About 88 per cent of executives believe AI has a very positive effect on energy and their relationship is now “symbiotic”, said the Powering Possible report from Adnoc and Microsoft released last week.
The study gathered insights from more than 850 global experts across energy, technology, AI, academia and finance, including those from ChatGPT maker OpenAI, France's TotalEnergies and the International Energy Agency.
Adnoc was the first energy company to roll out generative AI enterprise-wide in November 2023 with Microsoft Copilot. Since then, more than 40,000 employees have completed AI training, with utilisation rates above 90 per cent and over 70,000 hours a month in productivity gained to date.
“No single company or industry can meet this moment alone,” said Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft.
“Accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, secure, and inclusive energy future requires deep collaboration between governments, energy providers, technology companies, and innovators everywhere.”
The agreements were announced at the Enact Majlis in Abu Dhabi, before Adipec, which starts on Monday.
At the same majlis, Adnoc and US start-up Gecko Robotics on Sunday signed three deals to explore using robotics and artificial intelligence across the oil major's operations to boost efficiency and train Emiratis.
At the Enact Majlis on Sunday, Adnoc, Masdar and XRG gathered more than 100 global leaders from the energy, technology, investment and government sectors.
The%20specs
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Racecard
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Company%20profile
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
