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Microsoft, HUMAIN Partner To Bring Arabic AI Into Business Tools

Prime Highlights

  • ALLAM to be integrated with Microsoft 365 Copilot for specialised workplace AI agents.
  • Broader collaboration may extend to AI infrastructure, devices and joint commercial initiatives.

Key Facts

  • Microsoft and HUMAIN partner to bring ALLAM Arabic AI into Microsoft Foundry and Copilot.
  • Further developments expected at LEAP technology event in Riyadh, August 31 to September 3.

Background

Microsoft and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN have announced a partnership to bring HUMAIN’s ALLAM Arabic-language AI models into Microsoft’s technology ecosystem, aiming to make Arabic-language AI a more familiar part of everyday business life across the Middle East. Businesses could soon access these models through platforms including Microsoft Foundry and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Rather than building specialist Arabic AI systems from the ground up, developers and employees could gain access to tools designed around the language and regional context through Microsoft platforms they already use.

The agreement marks the first milestone in a long-term collaboration between Microsoft and HUMAIN, the AI company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Under the plans, ALLAM would become available through Microsoft Foundry, allowing developers and enterprises to build, customise and deploy applications and AI agents suited to Arabic-language and regional business needs.

The companies also plan to integrate ALLAM with Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling organisations to create specialised AI agents for workplace tasks.

Tareq Amin, chief executive officer of HUMAIN, said the collaboration marks just the first step, with plans to introduce a broader range of capabilities in the months ahead.

Further developments are expected to be shared at LEAP, Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology event, taking place in Riyadh from August 31 to September 3.

Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, said the partnership aims to help organisations build AI that understands local language and context while meeting business and public sector security requirements.

Microsoft and HUMAIN said the agreement could expand further, with future cooperation potentially covering AI models, infrastructure, devices and joint commercial initiatives across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.