
UAE Eyes Major Leap in AI with Potential Nvidia Chip Deal
This potential deal marks a notable shift from the stringent export controls implemented during the Biden administration, which aimed to limit the proliferation of advanced AI technologies to certain regions. The Trump administration's consideration of this agreement aligns with its broader strategy to bolster alliances and counterbalance China's growing technological influence.
G42 has been at the forefront of the UAE's AI ambitions, developing a bilingual Arabic-English large language model named Jais and collaborating with global tech giants to enhance its capabilities. The firm's efforts to sever ties with Chinese entities and comply with U.S. regulations have been pivotal in facilitating this prospective deal.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's introduction of the Validated End User program has further streamlined the export process for advanced technologies to trusted partners. Under this program, foreign data centers that meet rigorous security and compliance standards can receive AI chips without the need for individual export licenses. This initiative aims to safeguard national security while promoting international technological collaboration.
Nvidia's advanced chips, particularly the H100 and the newer GB300 Blackwell models, are integral to the development of cutting-edge AI applications. The company's collaboration with Saudi Arabia's AI startup, Humain, to deliver 18,000 AI chips underscores the region's commitment to becoming a global AI hub. These chips are set to power a 500-megawatt data center in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the Gulf's substantial investments in AI infrastructure.
See also stc Group Named Leading Workplace for Growth in Saudi Arabia
The UAE's strategic partnerships extend beyond Nvidia. A notable collaboration between Microsoft and G42 has received U.S. approval, allowing the export of advanced AI chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the UAE. This partnership is part of a broader U.S. effort to counter China's Digital Silk Road initiative by strengthening technological ties with Gulf nations.
Despite these advancements, concerns persist regarding the potential for U.S. technologies to be accessed by adversarial nations. The U.S. government has imposed strict conditions on these deals, including prohibitions on the use of exported chips for model training by individuals from countries under U.S. arms embargoes, such as China. Regular audits and compliance checks are mandated to ensure adherence to these restrictions.
The UAE's pursuit of AI sovereignty is evident in its initiatives to develop indigenous AI capabilities and infrastructure. Core42, a subsidiary of G42, has established a 'regulated technology environment' to deploy Nvidia's H100 Tensor chips securely within the country. This setup ensures that sensitive technologies are handled under strict guidelines, aligning with the UAE's objectives to safeguard data and maintain control over its AI systems.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
3 hours ago
- The National
UAE welcomes Trump's AI Action Plan, ambassador Al Otaiba says
The UAE's ambassador to the US commended the AI Action Plan unveiled by the Trump White House on Wednesday. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba applauded the much-anticipated artificial intelligence plan just hours after several executive orders related to the three-pillared AI strategy were signed by President Donald Trump. 'The UAE welcomes President Trump's AI Action Plan and is ready to fast track our strategic AI partnership with the US, first announced during [President Trump's] May visit to Abu Dhabi,' Mr Al Otaiba posted on social media. 'As a trusted partner, we are working closely with leading US companies to adopt and scale American technology in the UAE and beyond,' he added, referring to the 5GW UAE-US AI Campus announced in May. The UAE ambassador also reflected on the country's commitment to a $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US related to artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, energy and manufacturing. 'We are collaboratively setting a new 'Gold Standard' for securing AI models, chips, data and access – delivering lasting benefits for both our nations and the world,' he wrote. A week ago in Pennsylvania at an energy conference, White House cryptocurrency and AI adviser David Sacks also boasted about the UAE's commitment to work with the US. 'I know that our Gulf state partners will honour our security agreement,' Mr Sacks said, talking about US confidence that American-made technology would be protected in the UAE and wouldn't be diverted to potentially adversarial countries. In recent years, the UAE − the Arab world's second-biggest economy − has pursued becoming an AI front-runner, as it seeks to diversify its economy from oil. The country's efforts have resulted in the establishment of start-ups, partnerships and investments from industry leaders like Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI, to name a few. Through the creation of language models such as Falcon Arabic, the UAE has also sought to ensure aspects of Arabic culture are not left behind in the AI surge, with many large language models based on English-language data. In 2019, the UAE announced the establishment of a university dedicated to AI, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.


Al Etihad
6 hours ago
- Al Etihad
AI71's SuperHive gives AI boost to construction industry
24 July 2025 00:15 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi-based AI71 has introduced SuperHive, a next-generation platform set to revolutionise the construction industry by streamlining every phase - from design and permitting to execution and asset by embedded AI, real-time intelligence, and automation, SuperHive accelerates project delivery, reduces risk, and enhances performance. 'Construction underpins economic growth, yet it has seen limited disruption from modern technologies. With SuperHive, we are embedding intelligence across the entire infrastructure lifecycle - transforming how nations build and operate' said Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of AI71.'This is not just about digital transformation - it is about rethinking how we approach scale, speed, and resilience in infrastructure delivery.'A171 is a pioneering AI company founded by Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council in collaboration with VentureOne. Speaking with Aletihad , Klemensas Mecejus, VP Advisory at AI71, described SuperHive as 'a potential game-changer for national infrastructure delivery timelines and quality'. 'It supports the UAE's ambition to lead in smart regulation and infrastructure by reducing regulatory friction, expediting permit approvals, and enabling real-time government oversight,' said sets SuperHive apart is its real-time validation of 2D CAD and 3D BIM models against UAE building codes, automatic issue flagging, AI-based document generation, and seamless integration across stakeholders, from design consultants and developers to permitting authorities. The platform also enables smart asset management through digital twins and live cost estimation, while drone-based site tracking enhances oversight and its capabilities, SuperHive boosts productivity across the entire construction lifecycle, said Chiara Marcati, Chief AI Advisory and Business Officer at AI71.'It enables up to 50% faster decision-making, reduces manual documentation by 70%, and cuts on-site rework by half. With full AI coverage across all sub-stages, it transforms how teams plan, build, and deliver at scale,' Marcati said. Another standout innovation within its suite is the AiComply Studio, which automates compliance checks - streamlining approvals and eliminating regulatory bottlenecks to support scalable infrastructure across sectors. 'By digitising and automating compliance, municipalities save cost, consultants gain speed, and developers reduce risk. It is a win across the board,' Mecejus said.


Al Etihad
7 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Multiply Group completes its first major investment in Europe
23 July 2025 21:49 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Multiply Group has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of a majority stake in Tendam, Spain's second-largest apparel group by market share. In a press release, the Abu Dhabi-based group said the deal, valued at Dh5.6 billion (€1.3 billion), marks the Multiply's first major European investment and significantly expands its footprint in the global retail and apparel this acquisition, Multiply now owns 67.91% of Castellano Investments S.À R.L., the holding company for Tendam Brands S.A.U. and its subsidiaries. The remaining shares are retained by CVC Funds and PAI Partners through their corporate vehicles Llano Holdings and Arcadian one of Europe's leading omnichannel apparel retailers, operates more than 1,800 points of sale across over 80 markets, including Spain, France, Portugal, the UAE, and Latin America. Its portfolio includes 12 diverse fashion brands such as Women'secret, Springfield, Cortefiel, and Pedro del Hierro, catering to a wide range of consumer transaction is expected to double Multiply Group's operational EBITDA and significantly deepen its exposure to consumer-focused industries. Tendam will now serve as the platform business for Multiply's Retail & Apparel on the acquisition, Samia Bouazza, Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group, said:'This acquisition marks Multiply Group's strategic entry into the retail and apparel sector. By securing a controlling interest in a leading omnichannel platform, we are investing in a future-focused, high-performing business model backed by an outstanding management team.'She added, 'Built on strong, well-established owned brands, the platform offers the agility and vision to expand into new categories and scale emerging brands globally. With our expertise in creating synergies, deploying AI, and driving strategic M&A, we are poised to accelerate growth and unlock long-term value for our shareholders.'Multiply plans to drive Tendam's next phase of growth through further international expansion across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, and by embedding artificial intelligence into all areas of operations—from sourcing to customer engagement. It also intends to support targeted acquisitions to introduce new brands and Miquel, Chairman and CEO of Tendam, welcomed the new phase of growth, stating: 'Today we are starting a new era. Together, shareholders and management team will fully deploy the Tendam potential, extending our brands to new formats, markets and channels supported by advanced artificial intelligence and digital technology.' Tendam ended June 2025 with trailing 12-month sales of €1.4 billion and EBITDA post-IFRS 16 of €340.7 million, following steady growth since 2020 under a strong management team.