G42 is a global artificial intelligence group born in Abu Dhabi. It builds large-scale AI, cloud, and data systems that solve real-world problems. The company stands out for its focus on applied AI, responsible deployment, and global reach.
G42 works across many sectors and countries through a group company model. In this case study, we break down G42’s vision, structure, leadership, products, impact, and future direction using only verified shared data.
TL;DR – G42 Case Study
- G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based AI group building global-scale intelligence systems
- Operates in over 30 countries through ten group companies
- Focuses on applied AI across cloud, data, infrastructure, and critical sectors
- Led by a global executive team with deep AI and enterprise experience
- Builds the Intelligence Grid to connect cloud, data, and AI
- Positions AI as a force for good with measurable impact
G42 Highlights
| Attribute | Details |
| Company Name | G42 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Sector / Industry | Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, Data Infrastructure |
| Founders | Not disclosed, Peng Xiao (Group CEO) |
| Year Founded | 2018 |
| Number of Customers | 23,000+ |
| Official Website | https://www.g42.ai |
What is G42 and what does the startup do?
Founding story and current status
G42 is an artificial intelligence technology group founded in Abu Dhabi with a clear mission to apply AI at real real-world scale. It was created to build advanced AI capabilities within the UAE and extend them globally. Today, G42 operates in more than 30 countries through a group of specialized companies. It focuses on building large-scale AI infrastructure, platforms, and solutions that support governments and enterprises across critical sectors.
What problem does G42 solve?
Many organizations struggle to convert growing volumes of data into fast and reliable decisions. G42 solves this by connecting cloud infrastructure, data centers, AI models, and sector expertise into a single operating layer. It helps public and private institutions deploy AI securely, responsibly, and at scale. This reduces complexity, improves decision-making, and accelerates digital transformation across industries.
Evolution of the product and service offering
G42 started with a focus on artificial intelligence development and research. Over time, it expanded into cloud computing, high-capacity data centers, cybersecurity, and applied AI solutions. The group evolved into a multi-company platform that delivers end-to-end AI systems. Today, G42 offers infrastructure, platforms, and sector-specific AI solutions designed for large-scale and long-term use.
What is the size of the artificial intelligence market in the UAE?
Size of the market G42 operates in
The UAE artificial intelligence market is already large and expanding fast. According to Grand View Research, the UAE AI market was valued at USD 3.47 billion in 2023. The market is estimated to reach USD 5.22 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to USD 46.33 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by strong government support, national AI roadmaps, rising cloud adoption, and large-scale investment in AI research, infrastructure, and data platforms.
Growth trends in the UAE AI market
The UAE AI market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 43.9% between 2024 and 2030, one of the fastest growth rates globally. Demand is rising across machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.
Generative AI, cloud-based AI software, and managed AI services are seeing rapid adoption. Enterprises across the BFSI, healthcare, transportation, media, and energy sectors are increasing their AI budgets. Government-led ethical AI frameworks and large public investments further support sustained long-term growth.
G42’s positioning and target audience
G42 is positioned at the infrastructure and applied intelligence layer of the UAE AI market. It serves governments, large enterprises, and critical industries that require secure, scalable, and responsible AI systems. Its target audience includes public sector institutions, energy companies, healthcare providers, cloud-dependent enterprises, and national infrastructure operators. By combining cloud, data centers, AI models, and sector-specific solutions, G42 aligns closely with the UAE’s push to deploy AI at national and cross-industry scale.
Who are the founders and core team members of G42?
Peng Xiao – Group Chief Executive Officer
Peng Xiao is the Group Chief Executive Officer of G42 and has led the company since 2018. He is on a mission to advance artificial intelligence from narrow use cases to more generalized systems that expand human capabilities and solve global challenges.
Before G42, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Pegasus and spent 15 years at MicroStrategy as Chief Technology Officer. Peng holds a master’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University and dual bachelor’s degrees in computer science and international business from Hawaii Pacific University.
Mansoor Al Mansoori – Chief Operating Officer, G42 International
Mansoor Al Mansoori is the Group Chief Operating Officer at G42 and has held this role since 2020. He leads groups and operates business units across strategic partnerships, innovation, capacity building, business transformation, revenue optimization, brand development, and organizational culture.
Mansoor brings senior leadership experience across telecommunications, energy, government, and technology. He currently serves as Chairman of Injazat and is a board member of Etisalat and AIQ. He is known for building institutional structures, driving performance-based systems, and developing future leaders within G42.
Martin Edelman – Group General Counsel
Martin Edelman leads G42’s legal operations. He has over 30 years of experience in large and complex corporate transactions, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions. He is also a partner at the global law firm Paul Hastings and brings deep expertise in international legal structures and governance.
Ali Dalloul – Group Chief Strategy Officer
Ali Dalloul shapes G42’s long-term strategy and global growth agenda. He brings three decades of experience from Microsoft, where he led cloud and AI programs and served as Vice President of Azure AI Customer Experience Engineering. His focus at G42 is on AI commercialization and enterprise adoption.
Ricky Thirion – Group Chief Financial Officer
Ricky Thirion oversees group finance and investments. He previously served as CFO and Group Treasurer at Etihad Airways and South African Airways. He also has experience across banking, mining, and technology sectors. He holds a master’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering and has received international awards for treasury leadership.
Andrew Jackson – Group Chief AI Officer
Dr. Andrew Jackson leads AI strategy and oversees AI practices at G42. He previously served as CEO of Inception, a G42 company. His career spans Palantir, Etihad Airways, and European research programs. He holds a PhD in Machine Learning from Trinity College Dublin and has represented G42 at global forums, including the United Nations General Assembly.
Sanjiv Jain – Group Chief Accounting Officer
Sanjiv Jain brings over 25 years of global finance experience across defense, cybersecurity, construction, and oil and gas. Before G42, he led finance for a major Abu Dhabi government entity managing AED 2 billion in operations. His expertise includes acquisitions, risk management, and financial planning.
Maymee Kurian – Group Chief Human Capital & Culture Officer
Maymee Kurian leads people, culture, and talent strategy at G42. She has over 20 years of leadership experience across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Her work focuses on organization design, talent development, and culture transformation aligned with long-term business goals.
Faheem Ahamed – Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Faheem Ahamed leads global marketing and communications at G42. He has over 27 years of experience and drives initiatives at the intersection of AI and societal impact. His work includes healthcare trials, sustainability projects, sports safety, and global engagement at forums such as COP28 and the World Economic Forum.
Manu Kumar Jain – G42 India CEO
Manu Kumar Jain leads G42’s India operations. He is a former Global Vice President at Xiaomi and former CEO of Xiaomi India. He also co-founded Jabong.com, later acquired by the Flipkart Group. His leadership has been recognized by Forbes and Fortune.
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How did G42 start? Background story
How it all started
G42 was established in Abu Dhabi to advance artificial intelligence beyond narrow use cases into real-world applications. The early idea was to build AI capabilities locally and deploy them globally across critical sectors. From the beginning, G42 focused on applied intelligence rather than pure research. Its mission is to use AI to solve large-scale problems in infrastructure, health, energy, and public services, while building long-term institutional capability in the UAE.
Initial challenges and pivots
In its early phase, G42 faced the challenge of building AI systems at scale in a region where large AI infrastructure was still emerging. The company addressed this by investing heavily in cloud platforms, data centers, and specialized operating companies. Instead of focusing on a single product, G42 adopted a group structure. This allowed it to serve multiple industries while maintaining control over data, security, and deployment standards.
Early growth and expansion momentum
G42’s early growth came from its ability to deliver AI solutions that worked at national and enterprise scale. By aligning closely with government priorities and large organizations, the company expanded across sectors and borders. Over time, G42 grew into a multi-company AI group operating in more than 30 countries. This expansion reinforced its position as a global AI infrastructure and applied intelligence provider rather than a single product startup.
How does G42 make money? Business Model and Revenue Streams
Core business model
G42 operates mainly on a B2B and B2G model. It works with governments, public sector bodies, and large enterprises. The company focuses on long-term contracts rather than one-time sales. Its role is to act as an AI infrastructure and intelligence partner for mission-critical systems.
AI infrastructure and cloud services
G42 generates revenue by building and operating large-scale AI cloud platforms and high-performance computing environments. Clients pay for deployment, access, and ongoing operation of these systems. These services support advanced AI workloads and create recurring revenue through long-term infrastructure usage and managed service agreements.
Sector-specific AI solutions
G42 earns revenue by delivering applied AI solutions for sectors such as energy, healthcare, smart cities, and transportation. These projects combine AI models, data platforms, and domain expertise. Revenue comes from solution design, system integration, deployment, and continuous optimization for enterprise and government clients.
Cybersecurity and trusted AI systems
Cybersecurity is another revenue stream for G42. The company provides infrastructure protection, threat defense, and trusted AI systems. Governments and enterprises pay for secure deployments, monitoring, and resilience services. These offerings are critical for protecting sensitive data and the national digital infrastructure.
Group companies and vertical platforms
G42 monetizes its portfolio through multiple group companies, each focused on a specific industry or capability. These companies generate revenue independently through enterprise contracts and partnerships. This structure spreads revenue across sectors while allowing G42 to scale AI solutions without relying on a single product.
Unique aspects of the revenue model
G42 does not rely on ads or consumer subscriptions. Its revenue comes from long-term partnerships, platform usage, and solution delivery. The focus is on scale, trust, and impact. This model positions G42 as a strategic AI partner rather than a traditional software vendor.
What are the growth metrics and revenue figures of G42?
- Operations in 30+ countries: G42 delivers AI infrastructure, platforms, and applied intelligence across more than 30 global markets through its group companies.
- Ten operating companies: The group runs a portfolio of ten specialized companies covering AI infrastructure, energy, healthcare, cybersecurity, data centers, and space intelligence.
- Top 20 global supercomputing capability: Core42’s Maximus-01 cluster secured a Top 20 ranking on the global TOP500 supercomputers list, highlighting large-scale compute strength.
- Advanced AI model development: G42 released Nanda 87B, a large Hindi-English language AI model, expanding multilingual AI capability.
- Trusted AI infrastructure approvals: The group received U.S. approval for advanced AI chip exports, enabling full-scale deployment of trusted AI systems.
- Applied AI across critical sectors: G42 deploys AI in healthcare, energy, smart cities, transportation, public services, and cybersecurity at national and enterprise scale.
- Responsible AI leadership: Launched the Frontier AI Safety Framework to guide ethical, safe, and accountable AI development and deployment.
- Measured impact over disclosed revenue: G42 does not publish revenue figures, but growth is reflected through global expansion, infrastructure scale, and cross-sector AI adoption.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Investments of G42
AIQ – Joint venture for energy AI
AIQ was formed as a joint venture between Presight and ADNOC to apply artificial intelligence to the global energy sector. This strategic move allows G42 to embed AI directly into energy operations. The purpose is to improve efficiency, sustainability, and decision-making across complex energy systems while supporting the UAE’s ambition to lead globally in AI-driven energy transformation.
Core42 – Investment in AI infrastructure expansion
G42 invested heavily in Core42 to scale trusted AI and cloud infrastructure. Core42 established a European headquarters in Dublin to support rising global demand for AI infrastructure. This investment strengthens G42’s global delivery capabilities and positions the group closer to international enterprise and government clients that require secure, compliant AI systems.
Khazna Data Centers – Scaling digital infrastructure
Through Khazna Data Centers, G42 has invested in high-capacity data center infrastructure. These investments support cloud computing and AI workloads at scale. The purpose is to ensure reliable, secure, and future-ready infrastructure for governments and enterprises. This backbone enables other G42 companies to deploy AI solutions without infrastructure constraints.
Space42 – Investment in space and aerial intelligence
G42 supports Space42 to advance space and high-altitude platform technologies. Space42 completed the first public test flight of the APUSNEO18 HAPS platform in the UAE. This investment expands G42’s capabilities in satellite communications, geospatial intelligence, and aerial data systems, opening new applications for monitoring, connectivity, and national infrastructure.
Inception – Building proprietary AI models
G42 invested in Inception to focus on AI research and large-scale model development. Inception supports the creation of advanced language and foundation models such as Nanda 87B. The goal is to build proprietary AI capabilities that reduce dependence on external platforms and strengthen sovereign and enterprise AI adoption.
Presight – Data analytics and applied intelligence
Presight operates as a G42 company focused on big data analytics and applied AI for governments and enterprises. Investment in Presight allows G42 to monetize data-driven insights across smart cities, public services, and national programs. These capabilities turn large datasets into actionable intelligence at scale.
What partnerships has G42 formed recently?
Microsoft – AI and cloud partnership
G42 strengthened its strategic alliance with Microsoft to expand AI and cloud adoption across the UAE and selected global markets. The partnership focuses on deploying trusted AI tools, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise-grade platforms for the public sector and regulated industries. This collaboration supports scalable AI deployment while aligning with compliance and security requirements.
ADNOC – Energy AI through AIQ
G42 partners with ADNOC through AIQ, a joint venture focused on applying AI to energy operations. This collaboration embeds AI into exploration, production, and operational efficiency. The partnership positions AI at the core of energy transformation while supporting sustainability and performance improvements across complex energy systems.
MBZUAI – Research and talent collaboration
G42 works closely with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to support AI research, education, and talent development. This partnership strengthens the UAE’s AI ecosystem by linking academic research with real-world deployment. It also helps G42 access cutting-edge research and future AI talent.
What are the Products and Service offerings of G42?
Cybersecurity
G42 delivers advanced cybersecurity solutions designed to protect governments, enterprises, and individuals. The focus is on infrastructure resilience, real-time threat defense, and digital trust. These services support secure AI and cloud adoption across critical systems and national infrastructure.
Cloud Computing
G42 operates one of the region’s most powerful cloud platforms. This cloud infrastructure is designed to support large-scale AI workloads. Through global partnerships and advanced hardware, G42 enables fast, scalable AI deployment across industries.
Data Centers
G42 builds and operates high-capacity data centers that form the backbone of digital transformation. These facilities support critical AI and cloud workloads and are designed to be secure, resilient, and future-ready for public and private sector use.
Energy
G42 applies AI, IoT, and cloud technologies to accelerate the energy transition. Its solutions support efficiency, predictive analytics, and sustainability goals. The focus is on helping governments and enterprises move toward net-zero outcomes.
Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Communications
G42 develops geospatial intelligence and satellite communication capabilities to support advanced analytics, monitoring, and decision-making. These services strengthen national and enterprise-level situational awareness.
Healthcare and Life Sciences
G42 applies AI to healthcare and life sciences to improve research, diagnostics, and system efficiency. Its approach combines data, AI models, and secure infrastructure to support better health outcomes.
Smart City and Sustainability
G42 supports smart city initiatives by applying AI to urban planning, sustainability, and infrastructure optimization. These solutions aim to improve the quality of life and environmental outcomes.
Public Services
G42 works with public sector entities to modernize services using AI and data-driven systems. The focus is on efficiency, resilience, and citizen-centric outcomes.
Sports
G42 applies AI to sports safety, performance, and innovation. Its work includes research, partnerships, and technology programs that improve athlete wellbeing and competitive insights.
Transportation and Mobility
G42 supports transportation and mobility systems using AI to improve safety, efficiency, and planning across urban and national networks.
G42 Group Companies
G42 operates through ten companies that deploy AI-powered solutions across industries:
- AIQ
- Astratech
- Core42
- CPX
- Inception
- Khazna Data Centers
- M42
- Presight
- Space42
Who are the main competitors of G42, and how do they compare?
Google competes with G42 in AI research, cloud platforms, and large-scale model development. Its strength lies in global reach, consumer data, and mature AI tooling. G42 differs by focusing on sovereign AI, national-scale deployments, and regulated environments where data control, security, and local governance matter more than consumer-scale deployments.
Microsoft
Microsoft is a major competitor in cloud computing, enterprise AI, and AI infrastructure. Azure provides global AI services to governments and enterprises. G42 competes by offering vertically integrated AI infrastructure, regional execution, and deep alignment with national digital strategies, especially in the UAE and emerging markets.
Amazon Web Services
AWS competes with G42 in cloud infrastructure and AI services. It offers scalable global cloud platforms and managed AI tools. G42 differentiates itself through local data residency, trusted AI frameworks, and end-to-end delivery that includes data centers, applied AI, and sector-specific solutions under one group.
IBM
IBM operates in enterprise AI, data analytics, and AI-driven transformation. Its focus is on software platforms and consulting. G42 competes by combining infrastructure, AI models, and applied intelligence rather than relying mainly on software and advisory services. This allows faster deployment at national and enterprise scale.
Palantir Technologies
Palantir competes in data analytics and AI for governments and defense-related sectors. It is strong in decision intelligence platforms. G42 differs by owning more of the underlying infrastructure stack, including cloud, data centers, and AI compute, which gives it deeper control over deployment and scalability.
Baidu
Baidu competes in AI research, large language models, and applied AI platforms. Its focus is largely on the Chinese market. G42 positions itself as a global AI infrastructure and applied intelligence group, with a strong focus on multilingual models, sovereign AI, and cross-border deployments.
What are the future plans for G42?
Upcoming launches and platform development
G42 plans to continue launching advanced AI capabilities focused on real-world use. This includes new large language models, applied AI platforms, and trusted AI infrastructure. The company is also expanding responsible AI initiatives through frameworks such as its Frontier AI Safety Framework. Future launches are expected to focus on scalability, security, and multilingual AI, supporting governments and enterprises that require reliable and compliant AI systems at scale.
Expansion across markets and sectors
G42 will continue expanding its global footprint beyond the UAE, building on operations already active in more than 30 countries. Expansion plans focus on deploying AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, and sector-specific solutions across healthcare, energy, smart cities, transportation, and public services. Through its group companies, G42 aims to deepen its presence in Europe, Asia, and other strategic markets while aligning with local regulations and national AI strategies.
FAQs
When did G42 start?
G42 was founded in 2018 in Abu Dhabi. Since its launch, the company has grown into a global artificial intelligence group, building large-scale AI infrastructure, advanced models, and applied intelligence across multiple industries and international markets.
How does G42 make money?
G42 generates revenue through long-term B2B and B2G engagements. It provides AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, sector-specific AI solutions, and trusted systems to governments and large enterprises. The company focuses on strategic partnerships and large-scale deployments rather than consumer subscriptions or advertising models.
What is G42?
G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence technology group. It builds and operates AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, data centers, and applied AI solutions. The company helps governments and enterprises use AI to solve complex problems across healthcare, energy, smart cities, public services, and other critical sectors.
Where does G42 operate?
G42 operates globally, with active presence in more than 30 countries. Through its group companies and partnerships, it delivers AI infrastructure and solutions across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and other international markets, supporting both public and private sector clients.
TL;DR – G42 Case Study
- G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based AI group building global-scale intelligence systems
- Operates in over 30 countries through ten group companies
- Focuses on applied AI across cloud, data, infrastructure, and critical sectors
- Led by a global executive team with deep AI and enterprise experience
- Builds the Intelligence Grid to connect cloud, data, and AI
- Positions AI as a force for good with measurable impact
G42 Highlights
| Attribute | Details |
| Company Name | G42 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Sector / Industry | Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, Data Infrastructure |
| Founders | Not disclosed, Peng Xiao (Group CEO) |
| Year Founded | 2018 |
| Number of Customers | 23,000+ |
| Official Website | https://www.g42.ai |
What is G42 and what does the startup do?
Founding story and current status
G42 is an artificial intelligence technology group founded in Abu Dhabi with a clear mission to apply AI at real real-world scale. It was created to build advanced AI capabilities within the UAE and extend them globally. Today, G42 operates in more than 30 countries through a group of specialized companies. It focuses on building large-scale AI infrastructure, platforms, and solutions that support governments and enterprises across critical sectors.
What problem does G42 solve?
Many organizations struggle to convert growing volumes of data into fast and reliable decisions. G42 solves this by connecting cloud infrastructure, data centers, AI models, and sector expertise into a single operating layer. It helps public and private institutions deploy AI securely, responsibly, and at scale. This reduces complexity, improves decision-making, and accelerates digital transformation across industries.
Evolution of the product and service offering
G42 started with a focus on artificial intelligence development and research. Over time, it expanded into cloud computing, high-capacity data centers, cybersecurity, and applied AI solutions. The group evolved into a multi-company platform that delivers end-to-end AI systems. Today, G42 offers infrastructure, platforms, and sector-specific AI solutions designed for large-scale and long-term use.
What is the size of the artificial intelligence market in the UAE?
Size of the market G42 operates in
The UAE artificial intelligence market is already large and expanding fast. According to Grand View Research, the UAE AI market was valued at USD 3.47 billion in 2023. The market is estimated to reach USD 5.22 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to USD 46.33 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by strong government support, national AI roadmaps, rising cloud adoption, and large-scale investment in AI research, infrastructure, and data platforms.
Growth trends in the UAE AI market
The UAE AI market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 43.9% between 2024 and 2030, one of the fastest growth rates globally. Demand is rising across machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. Generative AI, cloud-based AI software, and managed AI services are seeing rapid adoption. Enterprises across the BFSI, healthcare, transportation, media, and energy sectors are increasing their AI budgets. Government-led ethical AI frameworks and large public investments further support sustained long-term growth.
G42’s positioning and target audience
G42 is positioned at the infrastructure and applied intelligence layer of the UAE AI market. It serves governments, large enterprises, and critical industries that require secure, scalable, and responsible AI systems. Its target audience includes public sector institutions, energy companies, healthcare providers, cloud-dependent enterprises, and national infrastructure operators. By combining cloud, data centers, AI models, and sector-specific solutions, G42 aligns closely with the UAE’s push to deploy AI at national and cross-industry scale.
Who are the founders and core team members of G42?
Peng Xiao – Group Chief Executive Officer
Peng Xiao is the Group Chief Executive Officer of G42 and has led the company since 2018. He is on a mission to advance artificial intelligence from narrow use cases to more generalized systems that expand human capabilities and solve global challenges. Before G42, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Pegasus and spent 15 years at MicroStrategy as Chief Technology Officer. Peng holds a master’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University and dual bachelor’s degrees in computer science and international business from Hawaii Pacific University.
Mansoor Al Mansoori – Chief Operating Officer, G42 International
Mansoor Al Mansoori is the Group Chief Operating Officer at G42 and has held this role since 2020. He leads groups and operates business units across strategic partnerships, innovation, capacity building, business transformation, revenue optimization, brand development, and organizational culture. Mansoor brings senior leadership experience across telecommunications, energy, government, and technology. He currently serves as Chairman of Injazat and is a board member of Etisalat and AIQ. He is known for building institutional structures, driving performance-based systems, and developing future leaders within G42.
Martin Edelman – Group General Counsel
Martin Edelman leads G42’s legal operations. He has over 30 years of experience in large and complex corporate transactions, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions. He is also a partner at the global law firm Paul Hastings and brings deep expertise in international legal structures and governance.
Ali Dalloul – Group Chief Strategy Officer
Ali Dalloul shapes G42’s long-term strategy and global growth agenda. He brings three decades of experience from Microsoft, where he led cloud and AI programs and served as Vice President of Azure AI Customer Experience Engineering. His focus at G42 is on AI commercialization and enterprise adoption.
Ricky Thirion – Group Chief Financial Officer
Ricky Thirion oversees group finance and investments. He previously served as CFO and Group Treasurer at Etihad Airways and South African Airways. He also has experience across banking, mining, and technology sectors. He holds a master’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering and has received international awards for treasury leadership.
Andrew Jackson – Group Chief AI Officer
Dr. Andrew Jackson leads AI strategy and oversees AI practices at G42. He previously served as CEO of Inception, a G42 company. His career spans Palantir, Etihad Airways, and European research programs. He holds a PhD in Machine Learning from Trinity College Dublin and has represented G42 at global forums, including the United Nations General Assembly.
Sanjiv Jain – Group Chief Accounting Officer
Sanjiv Jain brings over 25 years of global finance experience across defense, cybersecurity, construction, and oil and gas. Before G42, he led finance for a major Abu Dhabi government entity managing AED 2 billion in operations. His expertise includes acquisitions, risk management, and financial planning.
Maymee Kurian – Group Chief Human Capital & Culture Officer
Maymee Kurian leads people, culture, and talent strategy at G42. She has over 20 years of leadership experience across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Her work focuses on organization design, talent development, and culture transformation aligned with long-term business goals.
Faheem Ahamed – Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Faheem Ahamed leads global marketing and communications at G42. He has over 27 years of experience and drives initiatives at the intersection of AI and societal impact. His work includes healthcare trials, sustainability projects, sports safety, and global engagement at forums such as COP28 and the World Economic Forum.
Manu Kumar Jain – G42 India CEO
Manu Kumar Jain leads G42’s India operations. He is a former Global Vice President at Xiaomi and former CEO of Xiaomi India. He also co-founded Jabong.com, later acquired by the Flipkart Group. His leadership has been recognized by Forbes and Fortune.
How did G42 start? Background story
How it all started
G42 was established in Abu Dhabi to advance artificial intelligence beyond narrow use cases into real-world applications. The early idea was to build AI capabilities locally and deploy them globally across critical sectors. From the beginning, G42 focused on applied intelligence rather than pure research. Its mission is to use AI to solve large-scale problems in infrastructure, health, energy, and public services, while building long-term institutional capability in the UAE.
Initial challenges and pivots
In its early phase, G42 faced the challenge of building AI systems at scale in a region where large AI infrastructure was still emerging. The company addressed this by investing heavily in cloud platforms, data centers, and specialized operating companies. Instead of focusing on a single product, G42 adopted a group structure. This allowed it to serve multiple industries while maintaining control over data, security, and deployment standards.
Early growth and expansion momentum
G42’s early growth came from its ability to deliver AI solutions that worked at national and enterprise scale. By aligning closely with government priorities and large organizations, the company expanded across sectors and borders. Over time, G42 grew into a multi-company AI group operating in more than 30 countries. This expansion reinforced its position as a global AI infrastructure and applied intelligence provider rather than a single product startup.
How does G42 make money? Business Model and Revenue Streams
Core business model
G42 operates mainly on a B2B and B2G model. It works with governments, public sector bodies, and large enterprises. The company focuses on long-term contracts rather than one-time sales. Its role is to act as an AI infrastructure and intelligence partner for mission-critical systems.
AI infrastructure and cloud services
G42 generates revenue by building and operating large-scale AI cloud platforms and high-performance computing environments. Clients pay for deployment, access, and ongoing operation of these systems. These services support advanced AI workloads and create recurring revenue through long-term infrastructure usage and managed service agreements.
Sector-specific AI solutions
G42 earns revenue by delivering applied AI solutions for sectors such as energy, healthcare, smart cities, and transportation. These projects combine AI models, data platforms, and domain expertise. Revenue comes from solution design, system integration, deployment, and continuous optimization for enterprise and government clients.
Cybersecurity and trusted AI systems
Cybersecurity is another revenue stream for G42. The company provides infrastructure protection, threat defense, and trusted AI systems. Governments and enterprises pay for secure deployments, monitoring, and resilience services. These offerings are critical for protecting sensitive data and the national digital infrastructure.
Group companies and vertical platforms
G42 monetizes its portfolio through multiple group companies, each focused on a specific industry or capability. These companies generate revenue independently through enterprise contracts and partnerships. This structure spreads revenue across sectors while allowing G42 to scale AI solutions without relying on a single product.
Unique aspects of the revenue model
G42 does not rely on ads or consumer subscriptions. Its revenue comes from long-term partnerships, platform usage, and solution delivery. The focus is on scale, trust, and impact. This model positions G42 as a strategic AI partner rather than a traditional software vendor.
What are the growth metrics and revenue figures of G42?
- Operations in 30+ countries: G42 delivers AI infrastructure, platforms, and applied intelligence across more than 30 global markets through its group companies.
- Ten operating companies: The group runs a portfolio of ten specialized companies covering AI infrastructure, energy, healthcare, cybersecurity, data centers, and space intelligence.
- Top 20 global supercomputing capability: Core42’s Maximus-01 cluster secured a Top 20 ranking on the global TOP500 supercomputers list, highlighting large-scale compute strength.
- Advanced AI model development: G42 released Nanda 87B, a large Hindi-English language AI model, expanding multilingual AI capability.
- Trusted AI infrastructure approvals: The group received U.S. approval for advanced AI chip exports, enabling full-scale deployment of trusted AI systems.
- Applied AI across critical sectors: G42 deploys AI in healthcare, energy, smart cities, transportation, public services, and cybersecurity at national and enterprise scale.
- Responsible AI leadership: Launched the Frontier AI Safety Framework to guide ethical, safe, and accountable AI development and deployment.
- Measured impact over disclosed revenue: G42 does not publish revenue figures, but growth is reflected through global expansion, infrastructure scale, and cross-sector AI adoption.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Investments of G42
AIQ – Joint venture for energy AI
AIQ was formed as a joint venture between Presight and ADNOC to apply artificial intelligence to the global energy sector. This strategic move allows G42 to embed AI directly into energy operations. The purpose is to improve efficiency, sustainability, and decision-making across complex energy systems while supporting the UAE’s ambition to lead globally in AI-driven energy transformation.
Core42 – Investment in AI infrastructure expansion
G42 invested heavily in Core42 to scale trusted AI and cloud infrastructure. Core42 established a European headquarters in Dublin to support rising global demand for AI infrastructure. This investment strengthens G42’s global delivery capabilities and positions the group closer to international enterprise and government clients that require secure, compliant AI systems.
Khazna Data Centers – Scaling digital infrastructure
Through Khazna Data Centers, G42 has invested in high-capacity data center infrastructure. These investments support cloud computing and AI workloads at scale. The purpose is to ensure reliable, secure, and future-ready infrastructure for governments and enterprises. This backbone enables other G42 companies to deploy AI solutions without infrastructure constraints.
Space42 – Investment in space and aerial intelligence
G42 supports Space42 to advance space and high-altitude platform technologies. Space42 completed the first public test flight of the APUSNEO18 HAPS platform in the UAE. This investment expands G42’s capabilities in satellite communications, geospatial intelligence, and aerial data systems, opening new applications for monitoring, connectivity, and national infrastructure.
Inception – Building proprietary AI models
G42 invested in Inception to focus on AI research and large-scale model development. Inception supports the creation of advanced language and foundation models such as Nanda 87B. The goal is to build proprietary AI capabilities that reduce dependence on external platforms and strengthen sovereign and enterprise AI adoption.
Presight – Data analytics and applied intelligence
Presight operates as a G42 company focused on big data analytics and applied AI for governments and enterprises. Investment in Presight allows G42 to monetize data-driven insights across smart cities, public services, and national programs. These capabilities turn large datasets into actionable intelligence at scale.
What partnerships has G42 formed recently?
Microsoft – AI and cloud partnership
G42 strengthened its strategic alliance with Microsoft to expand AI and cloud adoption across the UAE and selected global markets. The partnership focuses on deploying trusted AI tools, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise-grade platforms for the public sector and regulated industries. This collaboration supports scalable AI deployment while aligning with compliance and security requirements.
ADNOC – Energy AI through AIQ
G42 partners with ADNOC through AIQ, a joint venture focused on applying AI to energy operations. This collaboration embeds AI into exploration, production, and operational efficiency. The partnership positions AI at the core of energy transformation while supporting sustainability and performance improvements across complex energy systems.
MBZUAI – Research and talent collaboration
G42 works closely with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to support AI research, education, and talent development. This partnership strengthens the UAE’s AI ecosystem by linking academic research with real-world deployment. It also helps G42 access cutting-edge research and future AI talent.
What are the Products and Service offerings of G42?
Cybersecurity
G42 delivers advanced cybersecurity solutions designed to protect governments, enterprises, and individuals. The focus is on infrastructure resilience, real-time threat defense, and digital trust. These services support secure AI and cloud adoption across critical systems and national infrastructure.
Cloud Computing
G42 operates one of the region’s most powerful cloud platforms. This cloud infrastructure is designed to support large-scale AI workloads. Through global partnerships and advanced hardware, G42 enables fast, scalable AI deployment across industries.
Data Centers
G42 builds and operates high-capacity data centers that form the backbone of digital transformation. These facilities support critical AI and cloud workloads and are designed to be secure, resilient, and future-ready for public and private sector use.
Energy
G42 applies AI, IoT, and cloud technologies to accelerate the energy transition. Its solutions support efficiency, predictive analytics, and sustainability goals. The focus is on helping governments and enterprises move toward net-zero outcomes.
Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Communications
G42 develops geospatial intelligence and satellite communication capabilities to support advanced analytics, monitoring, and decision-making. These services strengthen national and enterprise-level situational awareness.
Healthcare and Life Sciences
G42 applies AI to healthcare and life sciences to improve research, diagnostics, and system efficiency. Its approach combines data, AI models, and secure infrastructure to support better health outcomes.
Smart City and Sustainability
G42 supports smart city initiatives by applying AI to urban planning, sustainability, and infrastructure optimization. These solutions aim to improve the quality of life and environmental outcomes.
Public Services
G42 works with public sector entities to modernize services using AI and data-driven systems. The focus is on efficiency, resilience, and citizen-centric outcomes.
Sports
G42 applies AI to sports safety, performance, and innovation. Its work includes research, partnerships, and technology programs that improve athlete wellbeing and competitive insights.
Transportation and Mobility
G42 supports transportation and mobility systems using AI to improve safety, efficiency, and planning across urban and national networks.
G42 Group Companies
G42 operates through ten companies that deploy AI-powered solutions across industries:
- AIQ
- Astratech
- Core42
- CPX
- Inception
- Khazna Data Centers
- M42
- Presight
- Space42
Who are the main competitors of G42, and how do they compare?
Google competes with G42 in AI research, cloud platforms, and large-scale model development. Its strength lies in global reach, consumer data, and mature AI tooling. G42 differs by focusing on sovereign AI, national-scale deployments, and regulated environments where data control, security, and local governance matter more than consumer-scale deployments.
Microsoft
Microsoft is a major competitor in cloud computing, enterprise AI, and AI infrastructure. Azure provides global AI services to governments and enterprises. G42 competes by offering vertically integrated AI infrastructure, regional execution, and deep alignment with national digital strategies, especially in the UAE and emerging markets.
Amazon Web Services
AWS competes with G42 in cloud infrastructure and AI services. It offers scalable global cloud platforms and managed AI tools. G42 differentiates itself through local data residency, trusted AI frameworks, and end-to-end delivery that includes data centers, applied AI, and sector-specific solutions under one group.
IBM
IBM operates in enterprise AI, data analytics, and AI-driven transformation. Its focus is on software platforms and consulting. G42 competes by combining infrastructure, AI models, and applied intelligence rather than relying mainly on software and advisory services. This allows faster deployment at national and enterprise scale.
Palantir Technologies
Palantir competes in data analytics and AI for governments and defense-related sectors. It is strong in decision intelligence platforms. G42 differs by owning more of the underlying infrastructure stack, including cloud, data centers, and AI compute, which gives it deeper control over deployment and scalability.
Baidu
Baidu competes in AI research, large language models, and applied AI platforms. Its focus is largely on the Chinese market. G42 positions itself as a global AI infrastructure and applied intelligence group, with a strong focus on multilingual models, sovereign AI, and cross-border deployments.
What are the future plans for G42?
Upcoming launches and platform development
G42 plans to continue launching advanced AI capabilities focused on real-world use. This includes new large language models, applied AI platforms, and trusted AI infrastructure. The company is also expanding responsible AI initiatives through frameworks such as its Frontier AI Safety Framework. Future launches are expected to focus on scalability, security, and multilingual AI, supporting governments and enterprises that require reliable and compliant AI systems at scale.
Expansion across markets and sectors
G42 will continue expanding its global footprint beyond the UAE, building on operations already active in more than 30 countries. Expansion plans focus on deploying AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, and sector-specific solutions across healthcare, energy, smart cities, transportation, and public services. Through its group companies, G42 aims to deepen its presence in Europe, Asia, and other strategic markets while aligning with local regulations and national AI strategies.
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FAQs
When did G42 start?
G42 was founded in 2018 in Abu Dhabi. Since its launch, the company has grown into a global artificial intelligence group, building large-scale AI infrastructure, advanced models, and applied intelligence across multiple industries and international markets.
How does G42 make money?
G42 generates revenue through long-term B2B and B2G engagements. It provides AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, sector-specific AI solutions, and trusted systems to governments and large enterprises. The company focuses on strategic partnerships and large-scale deployments rather than consumer subscriptions or advertising models.
What is G42?
G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence technology group. It builds and operates AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, data centers, and applied AI solutions. The company helps governments and enterprises use AI to solve complex problems across healthcare, energy, smart cities, public services, and other critical sectors.
Where does G42 operate?
G42 operates globally, with active presence in more than 30 countries. Through its group companies and partnerships, it delivers AI infrastructure and solutions across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and other international markets, supporting both public and private sector clients.
