KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar reaffirmed on Monday the government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and fostering innovation across public services, through the strategic partnership with global technology giant Microsoft. Speaking during a high-level meeting with Microsoft Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Judson Bezek Althoff, Al-Omar emphasized Kuwait’s steady progress towards establishing a comprehensive digital infrastructure. He highlighted the country’s focus on improving the quality of government services, attracting investments, and cultivating an innovation-driven environment.

Al-Omar noted that a key outcome of the partnership is the empowerment of national talent through specialized training programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. These efforts, he said, will enhance the role of Kuwaiti professionals in leading the country’s shift towards a competitive and sustainable digital economy.

Acting Chairman of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah echoed these sentiments, describing the launch of the AI-powered data centers project, in collaboration with Microsoft, as a cornerstone of Kuwait’s digital future. He underscored CITRA’s role in facilitating coordination between government entities and global partners, particularly Microsoft, to establish and operate cutting-edge data centers. These centers, Sheikh Athbi said, will support national ambitions in digital transformation by offering high-capacity computing infrastructure essential for AI-based services.

Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Judson Bezek-Althoff, delivers a video presentation at the meeting.

Acting Director General of KUNA Mohammad Al-Mannai is pictured with Deputy Head of the Financial Investigation Unit Yousef Al-Omar and Deputy CEO of Project Management at Kuwait Oil Company Fahad Al-Kharqawi during the meeting.

A view of the attendees during the meeting of Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar with the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Microsoft.

The Authority, he added, has already allocated suitable lands and coordinated with various ministries and service institutions to ensure the availability of necessary infrastructure, including power, roads, telecommunications and technical expertise. The new data centers, built using advanced liquid cooling technologies and next-generation processors, are expected to be among the most efficient in the region. Sheikh Athbi affirmed CITRA’s ongoing role as a bridge for coordination and a key enabler of national digital initiatives, positioning Kuwait as a regional leader in artificial intelligence and smart governance.

During the meeting, Bezek Althoff delivered a presentation outlining the major components of the agreement and explored opportunities for further cooperation. The presentation focused on accelerating AI investment, expanding data center capabilities and integrating Microsoft Copilot solutions into government operations. Discussions also addressed the customization of AI solutions to align with Kuwait’s digital landscape, the integration of cybersecurity with innovation strategies, and the development of training programs to enhance the readiness of government teams in managing digital transformation.

The meeting was attended by several senior government officials and executive leaders. It marks a continuation of the strategic partnership agreement signed between the Government of Kuwait and Microsoft in March and is part of a broader framework to implement data center projects, establish centers of excellence and innovation, and incorporate advanced digital tools to improve government performance and service delivery. — KUNA