2:39 pm - September 2, 2025
DEWA’s chief executive and Microsoft UAE’s general manager met at DEWA’s headquarters on 17 August 2025 to deepen collaboration on AI, cloud computing, data analytics and cybersecurity, aiming to speed Dubai’s transition to a smarter, more sustainable energy and water system.
DEWA and Microsoft UAE deepen collaboration during Aug 17 meeting at DEWA HQ
DEWA’s chief executive met Microsoft UAE’s general manager at the utility’s headquarters on 17 August 2025 to deepen collaboration on digital transformation and innovation, underscoring how Dubai aims to accelerate its transition to a smarter, more sustainable energy and water system. The discussion centered on embracing cutting-edge technologies—primarily artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics and strong cybersecurity—to boost efficiency, improve customer experiences and push forward Dubai’s and the UAE’s broader digital economy goals.
The pair looked at how DEWA’s ongoing smart-infrastructure and renewable-energy programs could be complemented by Microsoft’s global know-how in cloud platforms and AI. DEWA has long positioned itself at the forefront of digital utilities, with leadership stressing that the collaboration is central to transforming the utility sector into an AI-enabled, future-ready operations model. Speaking to Emirates247, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s managing director and chief executive, said: “By integrating AI and cloud-based solutions, we aim to enhance our renewable energy capabilities, drive operational excellence and provide world-class services in line with Dubai’s vision for sustainability and innovation. DEWA’s focus is on deploying advanced technologies, including AI and cloud solutions, to optimise our operations, enhance grid resilience, integrate renewable energy sources efficiently and deliver exceptional services to Dubai.” The emphasis was on using predictive maintenance, demand forecasting, energy optimisation and elevated customer service through analytics and automation, with security and resilience of critical infrastructure a priority as the city advances toward its Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions 2050 targets. The Microsoft side was represented by Amr Kamel, Microsoft UAE’s general manager, who asserted the partnership would unlock new possibilities in operational excellence, sustainability and citizen services, framing Microsoft’s cloud platforms, AI capabilities and cybersecurity solutions as enablers for DEWA’s initiatives.
This summit sits within a broader pattern of ongoing engagement between DEWA and Microsoft, reflecting a multi-month push to weave digital technologies into Dubai’s utilities framework. Earlier in the year, DEWA had a dedicated dialogue with Microsoft UAE in June 2025 to accelerate digital transformation and sustainability in the sector, spotlighting cloud deployment, AI capabilities and cybersecurity to support DEWA’s innovation agenda and improve grid resilience. DEWA’s leadership has repeatedly framed these collaborations as central to the city’s ambition to lead in digital governance and green growth, and to align with national AI strategy goals.
DEWA’s strategy around artificial intelligence and cloud-enabled operations is not new. In January 2025 the utility unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to embed generative AI across its processes and services, illustrating a close collaboration with Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform and related AI tools to boost productivity, data-driven decision making and service delivery for Dubai’s residents. The plan places DEWA within the UAE’s broader AI ecosystem, including the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, and underscores the city’s commitment to leveraging AI to optimise grid management, speed up renewable-energy integration and enhance customer experiences. The company has described its aim to become the world’s first AI-native utility, positioning AI at the core of generation planning, operations and customer interactions.
Following that trajectory, a March 2025 DEWA roadmap further elaborated the objective of embedding AI across core operations, with a stated intent to deploy cloud platforms, data analytics and advanced cybersecurity to safeguard critical infrastructure while improving service quality and responsiveness. The announcements were framed as a continuation of Dubai’s and the UAE’s AI initiatives, designed to help the electricity and water sectors keep pace with rapid technological development.
Beyond technology, DEWA has stressed that the digital transformation is also about people and governance. In February 2025, DEWA’s Future Next Conference—held as part of UAE Innovates 2025—highlighted the role of innovation in boosting competitiveness and stakeholder happiness, emphasizing collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate practical AI adoption across energy and water services. And in June 2025, the ongoing Microsoft-DEWA dialogue focused on workforce development and digital skills, alongside the deployment of Copilot, Power Platform and other Microsoft tools to enhance grid resilience and customer-service responsiveness.
Taken together, the August meeting reinforces a narrative of sustained partnership between DEWA and Microsoft as Dubai accelerates its digital and sustainable agenda. DEWA has repeatedly framed the collaboration as instrumental to delivering reliable, affordable and secure energy and water services while pushing the city’s move toward a low-carbon economy. The company’s leadership has stressed that strategic partnerships with technology leaders will keep DEWA at the vanguard of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, supporting not only operational excellence but also the broader economic and societal goals of Dubai and the UAE.
In a statement reflecting the collaboration’s tone, Microsoft UAE’s representative underscored DEWA’s leadership in adopting innovative solutions for sustainable utilities, while reaffirming Microsoft’s commitment to provide trusted cloud platforms, advanced AI capabilities and cybersecurity offerings to empower DEWA’s initiatives. The dialogue, according to stakeholders, is part of a longer arc of collaboration designed to unlock improvements in efficiency, resilience and service delivery as Dubai moves toward Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero 2050.
As the partnership evolves, observers say the real test will be in execution—how DEWA integrates AI into grid management, how renewable sources are optimised with predictive analytics, and how cyber resilience keeps pace with expanding digital capabilities. If the Aug 17 discussions translate into concrete pilots and scalable programmes, they could serve as a blueprint for other utilities in the region looking to fuse AI-native operations with reliable service and ambitious sustainability targets. The coming months will be watched for tangible milestones—equipment upgrades, pilot projects in grid management, and the expansion of cloud-based, data-driven workflows across DEWA’s core services.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.emirates247.com/business/al-tayer-meets-microsoft-uae-general-manager-to-discuss-collaboration-in-digital-transformation-and-innovation-2025-08-17-1.740686 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.emirates247.com/business/al-tayer-meets-microsoft-uae-general-manager-to-discuss-collaboration-in-digital-transformation-and-innovation-2025-08-17-1.740686 – HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), met Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, at DEWA’s headquarters. The discussions focused on accelerating digital transformation, fostering innovation and supporting Dubai’s goals through cooperation. Delegates examined synergies between DEWA’s smart infrastructure, renewable energy initiatives and core utility services with Microsoft’s cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics and cyber security expertise. Both parties reiterated a commitment to harness Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to improve efficiency and customer experience, contributing to the UAE’s economy ambitions. Al Tayer underlined DEWA’s openness to partnerships, staying at the forefront.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2025/06/dewa-leverages-microsoft – DEWA, led by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO, met Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, to explore collaboration in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and cloud computing within the utilities sector. The meeting focused on leveraging Microsoft’s technologies to drive DEWA’s innovation programmes, enhance operational efficiency and advance next‑generation infrastructure in Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and UAE Net Zero by 2050. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to improve service quality, boost cyber security for critical infrastructure and elevate customer experiences. The partnership aims to transform DEWA into an AI-native utility.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2025/01/dewa-presents-a-comprehensive-roadmap – DEWA unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to embed generative AI across its operations, demonstrated by DEWA’s leadership in collaboration with Microsoft Copilot. In the presence of HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the plan aims to embed AI into all processes and services, improving efficiency, customer happiness and public sector innovation. The event, attended by Marwan Bin Haidar and DEWA staff, referenced alignment with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and UAE AI initiatives. It highlighted the use of Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform and AI tools to enhance productivity, support data-driven decision making, and strengthen service delivery to Dubai’s citizens.
- https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/march/25-03/dewa-announces-roadmap – DEWA has unveiled a strategic roadmap to become the world’s first AI-native utility, embedding artificial intelligence across all core operations and services. Speaking at the Dubai-based launch, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO, outlined plans to deploy AI technologies to optimise grid management, accelerate renewable energy integration and improve customer experience. The roadmap aligns with HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision and the UAE’s AI strategies, including the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. DEWA intends to incorporate AI from generation planning to service delivery, leveraging cloud platforms, data analytics and advanced cybersecurity to protect essential infrastructure and resilience.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2025/02/he-saeed-mohammed-al-tayer-highlights-the-role – HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer highlighted the pivotal role of innovation in boosting DEWA’s competitiveness and stakeholder happiness during DEWA’s Future Next Conference, part of UAE Innovates 2025. He underscored collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate innovation adoption and practical application across energy and water services. The conference featured keynote speeches and panels with international experts, illustrating DEWA’s culture of experimentation and its ambition to lead in digital governance. Al Tayer linked innovation to Dubai’s broader strategy for sustainable growth, social wellbeing and improved quality of life, emphasising DEWA’s commitment to people, partnerships and world-class services.
- https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/june/20-06/dewa-leverages-microsoft-solutions-to-accelerate-digital – DEWA and Microsoft UAE discussed ongoing collaboration to accelerate digital transformation and sustainability in the utilities sector. The meeting focused on deploying Microsoft cloud platforms, AI capabilities and cybersecurity solutions to support DEWA’s innovation agenda. Topics included predictive maintenance, energy optimisation, demand forecasting and improved customer service through analytics and automation. Participants highlighted DEWA’s pioneering digital journey, including generative AI adoption and use of Copilot, Power Platform and other Microsoft tools to improve grid resilience and response times. The discussions also emphasised workforce development, digital skills and safeguarding critical infrastructure as Dubai progresses toward its Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
🕰️ The reported 17 August 2025 meeting is timely and appears to be a genuine, new meeting report (Emirates247 published 17 Aug 2025). ✅ However, the narrative substantially recycles an ongoing multi-month collaboration that DEWA and Microsoft have publicly documented earlier in 2025 (notably DEWA press briefings/releases on 3 Jan 2025, 25 Mar 2025, 19 Apr 2025 and a DEWA–Microsoft item on 20 Jun 2025). ⚠️ Because much of the substance (AI roadmap, Microsoft Copilot use, focus areas such as predictive maintenance, cloud and cybersecurity) was published months earlier, this is partly recycled reporting rather than wholly new reporting. If the new item contained only the meeting notice and restated prior claims, that reduces freshness. ✅ If it includes authentic new commitments or pilots (not present in earlier notices), that would raise freshness — but the Emirates247 piece largely reiterates already-public material. 🟨 Flag: recycled but legitimately reflecting a continuing engagement; earlier versions exist more than 7 days earlier (Jan–Jun 2025).
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
🔎 The quoted wording attributed to HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer and Microsoft’s UAE representative echoes phrases used in DEWA and Microsoft communications earlier in 2025 (e.g. DEWA statements of 3 Jan 2025 and 25 Mar 2025; DEWA item 20 Jun 2025). ⚠️ Identical or very similar lines about becoming “the world’s first AI-native utility”, integrating “AI and cloud-based solutions” and aims to “enhance renewable energy capabilities, drive operational excellence” appear in prior DEWA releases. 📝 No evidence found that the Emirates247 quotes are exclusive or novel; they likely reuse or paraphrase official statements. ✅ If no verbatim earlier match was found for a particular sentence, that would support originality — but key quoted claims match earlier public releases, so flag as reused/echoed content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
✅ The narrative is grounded in verifiable, high-profile organisations: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Microsoft. 🏛️ DEWA has an official communications record (multiple press items in Jan, Mar, Apr, Jun 2025) and Microsoft published the appointment of Amr Kamel as Microsoft UAE General Manager on 7 July 2025. 🟢 Emirates247 is an established UAE news outlet publishing the 17 Aug 2025 meeting report. ⚠️ While reputable organisations are involved, the report largely repeats claims from official communications — which is legitimate but means independent corroboration of new project details or pilots is limited. 🔎 No signs found of an unverifiable person or fake organisation in the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ High plausibility: DEWA’s prior public roadmap to embed generative AI (Jan 3, 2025) and subsequent events (Mar AI-native roadmap announcement, Apr productivity event, Jun DEWA–Microsoft dialogue) make the continuation of talks on 17 Aug 2025 credible. ✅ The appointment of Amr Kamel (effective 1 Jul 2025) as Microsoft UAE General Manager fits the reported Microsoft representation. ⚠️ No independent reporting found that contradicts the meeting. 🟨 The narrative leans heavily on policy/strategic language and lacks granular, independently verifiable technical commitments (e.g. named pilots, budgets, timelines) — that limits ability to verify future impact claims. 🔍 If the report claimed surprising, impactful, or exclusive contractual milestones, the absence of corroboration would be concerning — but the piece sticks to strategic intent and planned collaboration, which is plausible and consistent with previous statements.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
✅ The report of a DEWA–Microsoft UAE discussion on 17 August 2025 is credible and consistent with an established, ongoing partnership documented earlier in 2025. 🕰️ Major prior public communications (DEWA releases on 3 Jan 2025, 25 Mar 2025 and 19 Apr 2025; DEWA–Microsoft item 20 Jun 2025) show the same themes (AI roadmap, Microsoft Copilot and cloud collaboration), so this August item largely reiterates an ongoing narrative rather than introducing wholly new claims. ⚠️ Primary risks: recycled content across months (🟨), quoted language appears reused from official communications (‼️), and the piece lacks independent, granular verification of specific pilots, budgets or contractual milestones (⚠️). ✅ Given the reliability of named organisations and the consistent public record, the report passes factual plausibility checks, but editors should note it is largely a continuation of prior announcements rather than a break‑through disclosure. 📝 Recommended: label as “continuation/reiteration” of prior DEWA–Microsoft announcements and seek follow-up details (pilot names, timelines, funding, technical scope) for any stronger future claims.
