KOC inaugurates AI Innovation Center in partnership with Microsoft
Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar said today that the newly inaugurated Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center at the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is one of the first major outcomes of Kuwait’s strategic partnership with Microsoft, reports Al-Rai daily.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at KOC’s office complex in Ahmadi City, Al-Omar highlighted that the center will play a key role in integrating AI technologies into daily operations, helping the company save time, effort, and cost. He expressed hope that such digital innovation will soon expand to other national sectors beyond oil.
The event was attended by Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation CEO Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud, and Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Director General Sheikh Dr. Mishal Jaber Al-Ahmad.
Microsoft’s President for the Middle East and Africa, Naim Yazbek, hailed the launch as a historic milestone in Kuwait’s digital transformation, positioning the country as a regional hub for innovation and technology. Yazbek underscored the AI Center as more than just a training site—it’s a strategic platform that empowers Kuwaiti talent, fosters operational excellence, and advances sustainability goals.
Yazbek emphasized that Microsoft’s partnership with KOC is built on three pillars — empowering national competencies, joint innovation and enhancing operational efficiency.
He stressed that building a sustainable digital economy starts with human capital, and Microsoft is committed to developing a generation of skilled Kuwaiti engineers and analysts who can lead the transformation.
The center is designed to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies within KOC, enabling smarter, faster decisions, enhancing productivity, and integrating systems across operations and projects.
With cutting-edge analytics and AI tools, KOC aims to raise its efficiency and competitiveness, while contributing to Kuwait’s broader vision of a diversified, knowledge-driven economy.
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