Alaeddine Karim

Microsoft’s goal in Kuwait is to empower every person and organization in the country to achieve more.

After 25 years in Kuwait, can you elaborate on Microsoft Kuwait’s business strategy and how it differs from other markets?

Today, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. I believe we are perfectly set in Kuwait through our strategic partnership with the government to fulfill this mission and help the country achieve its 2035 New Kuwait vision. This year, we launched the Cloud Center of Excellence with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) and the Massar initiative which involves engaging with government entities to identify a roadmap for their digital transformation. We have also extended our focus to AI, setting up a partnership with the Kuwaiti government to explore the impact of AI on the country. AI is poised to revolutionize everything around us and we are dedicated to guiding Kuwait through this transformative journey.

Microsoft has also collaborated with the Ministry of Oil. How are you contributing to innovation in Kuwait’s oil and gas sector?

We have joined forces with the Ministry of Oil to create the right awareness around sustainability and the technology role in driving that agenda. Technology at large, and AI in particular, can transform months of work into days or even hours. A case study with the Kuwait Oil Company demonstrated substantial cost savings and efficiency improvements. We also collaborate with the oil and gas sector through skilling initiatives to ensure they have the right access to the most recent and relevant technologies.

Microsoft has partnered with Zain to launch a national cloud initiative. What are the key services expected to drive this digital transformation?

Microsoft recognizes the growing demand for cloud services, emphasizing the need to meet customer requirements. Acknowledging that the cloud relies on global data centers, we aimed to introduce a local data center in the country. This collaboration provides essential cloud services and ensures data residency, allowing customers to use cloud services on their terms.

How is Microsoft assisting the government with cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is now a top priority for leaders in government, enterprises, and the private sector due to the increasing recognition of the substantial costs associated with cyber-attacks. Microsoft has significantly invested in security over the past years, positioning itself as a leader in many areas like access management, endpoint protection, zero trust platform, and many more. Our expertise spans EDR, XDR, SEM, and SOC, covering key aspects of enhancing security posture and reducing cyber-attack risks. In that regard, Microsoft has introduced the Zero Trust Program in partnership with the Kuwaiti government, guiding entities in understanding their security landscape, identifying risks, and implementing recommendations for improved security. After a successful first batch covering 12 government entities in 2022, we are launching Wave 2, extending the program to 15 more government customers in Kuwait in 2023.

What are Microsoft’s plans to increase employment opportunities in the tech sector in Kuwait?

We have been running skilling programs for the past few years in partnership with the government. We will bring more focus on AI and cybersecurity due to their significance. Additionally, we are intensifying our training initiative for fresh graduates, introducing tracks that encompass soft skills alongside technology training. This initiative targets students in their final year at university and fresh graduates, aiming to enhance their employability.

In which sector do you anticipate growth with AI in Kuwait and worldwide?

AI is poised to reshape every industry. I am personally passionate about the potential impact of AI in education. With AI, the introduction of a self-tutor system enables a personalized one-to-one learning experience for each student, fostering success, and skills development. Despite initial concerns, educational institutions are now leading the way to use AI to improve education and give equal opportunity to all learners. The AI revolution will shape everything around us and I look forward to its positive impact on humans particularly in medicine and education.