Latest news with #US-UAE
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
UAE's AI Uuniversity aims to become Stanford of the Gulf
The UAE is on a mission to become a global player in AI. PHOTO: REUTERS UAE's AI Uuniversity aims to become Stanford of the Gulf A few weeks before US President Donald Trump announced plans to lift semiconductor restrictions on the United Arab Emirates, a move with the potential to supercharge the region's AI development, Eric Xing sat in his office in Abu Dhabi and discussed what the future might look like. Mr Xing, a computer scientist who previously taught at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon, is president of Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI, a six-year-old institution uniquely positioned to shape the coming AI boom. During an interview with Bloomberg, Mr Xing repeatedly mentioned his ambition of making MBZUAI the Stanford of the Gulf, pointing to the California school's role in nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship whose effects have rippled far beyond Silicon Valley. The UAE is on a mission to become a global player in AI. The country appointed the world's first AI minister back in 2017, and mandated this month that all primary schools add AI-based topics like algorithmic bias and prompt engineering to their curriculums. With MBZUAI, named after the UAE leader, it is taking things further: the school is aiming to be a feeder for Emirati companies, which now mostly hire engineers from abroad; an incubator for homegrown startups; and an AI research and development arm for the UAE. While the UAE has poured billions into building AI, MBZUAI wants to make the country less dependent on foreign talent and companies. Its role, in Mr Xing's words, is 'train the people who can carry out the work'. Mr Trump may have just given the school a leg up in these ambitions. On his recent trip to the region, the US president framed a potential 'US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership' as a way to strengthen business ties between the two countries, and to solidify the US lead in the field. Under the terms of the agreement, the UAE would be allowed to import 500,000 of the most advanced chips every year between now and 2027, with a fifth set aside for G42, the country's all-purpose AI company. That's a notable break with previous US strategy, said Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC. Over the past two decades, as the country has strengthened its ties with China, US administrations responded by restricting UAE access to semiconductors and sensitive technologies. Last year, G42 agreed to divest from China upon entering a partnership with Microsoft. By contrast, this latest proposal does not demand any Emirati concessions on ties with China. Ms Diwan described that as 'a massive win for the UAE's ambitions to become a central hub in the global tech economy'. Just under a fifth of the nearly 400 graduate students at MBZUAI come from the Emirates. The rest mostly hail from China, India, Kazakhstan and Egypt, which increasingly have trouble sending students to study in the US and UK. Backed by full scholarships from the UAE, MBZUAI students can pursue degrees in robotics, computer vision and other fields, with programs in decision science and digital public health launching soon. So far, the school has granted 211 master's degrees and eight doctorates and will welcome its first undergraduate class in the fall. This week, it opened its first US outpost: a research lab in Sunnyvale, near Google's headquarters, focused on advanced AI foundation models. Designed by British architect Norman Foster, the MBZUAI campus is new, sleek and expensive, with students zipping around on electric golf carts and gathering at cafes and communal prayer rooms. Ikboljon Sobirov, a graduate from Uzbekistan, said the university offered 'quite generous' academic and administrative support, including securing him a golden visa for long-term residency in the UAE. Ariana Venegas, a former analytics manager at Uber in Costa Rica, chose to study computer vision at MBZUAI over programs in Europe and Canada, where financial support was less certain. 'I prefer something more stable,' she said. According to MBZUAI, up to 70 per cent of graduates stay in the country. Many end up at G42, as well as TII, a government-funded research institute, and the Emirati defense company Edge. MBZUAI is designed to prepare graduates for the tech workforce. Business accounting and product management classes are required alongside computer science coursework, and Provost Timothy Baldwin has been recruiting rank-and-file engineers from Silicon Valley companies as guest lecturers. According to an internal presentation, MBZUAI hopes to add another 225 faculty members within the next five years. To lure AI talent, the school offers pay packages that are 'more favourable' than those at top-tier schools, said Elizabeth Churchill, who left Google last year to start the human-computer interaction department. She mentioned MBZUAI's interest in breaking with 'dominant' English-language culture as a point of appeal. Two years ago, the institution debuted what it described as 'the world's most advanced Arabic large language model.' Michael Bronstein, the DeepMind Professor of AI at Oxford University, praised the academics that MBZUAI has attracted. He also noted, with admiration, how quickly the university was established, calling it 'probably the best thing that can happen to the region.' At the same time, despite all its resources and promise, there are steep challenges ahead. Compared to 140-year-old Stanford, which has more than 17,000 students and 150 graduate programs, MBZUAI is building everything from scratch, doesn't yet have name recognition, and is reliant on government funding that doesn't come with any permanent guarantees. Some tech practitioners and scholars may also be reluctant to move to the UAE, where it is forbidden to criticise the country's government or leaders and acts of dissent carry a minimum sentence of five years in prison. That is not unique – China, for instance, enforces similar laws– but it does contradict the image that the UAE is trying to present to the world. The country 'doesn't invite criticism,' said Melissa Nisbett, a reader at King's College London who studies cultural politics. 'In fact, it clamps down on it.' Moreover, she added, should research fall outside the boundaries of what's seen as acceptable, that could lead to trouble. 'You think of the world's first AI university as something boundary-pushing and exploratory,' Ms Nisbett said. So far, this hasn't been an issue. Both Mr Baldwin and Ms Churchill described free expression as a 'core value' of the school, rejecting the notion that censorship might be an problem. 'This is a clean slate,' Mr Baldwin said of the MBZUAI approach. 'Are there boundaries?' Ms Churchill said from a roomy campus lounge arrayed, like many places in the country, with portraits of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and his late father, the UAE's founder. 'Yes,' she said, 'but there are everywhere.' BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hi Dubai
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Emirates Global Aluminium to Build First New US Aluminium Plant in Over 40 Years
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced plans to develop the first new primary aluminium production plant in the United States since 1980, marking a major step in reviving domestic production of a strategic industrial metal. The $4 billion facility is set to be built in Inola, Oklahoma, and is expected to produce 600,000 tonnes of primary aluminium annually — nearly doubling the country's current output. With 85% of US aluminium needs currently met through imports, the project aims to boost national industrial resilience and economic security. Construction is slated to begin by late 2026, pending the completion of a feasibility study, power supply agreements, and state-level investment incentives. EGA has already secured a land option in the Tulsa Port of Inola industrial park and is in advanced talks with the Oklahoma government and the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt welcomed the project, highlighting its potential to anchor a new industrial hub and generate thousands of local jobs. 'EGA's new plant will be the heart of a broader hub for strategic industry in Oklahoma,' he said. The project is expected to create up to 4,000 construction jobs at its peak and 1,000 permanent positions once operational. It will also use proprietary EGA technology, developed over the past 35 years. EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban called the move a milestone for US-UAE economic ties and a strategic expansion into a key market. 'This is an important moment for EGA, and for the economic relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates,' he said. EGA is already active in the US through its St. Louis-based distribution arm and a majority stake in Minnesota-based recycled aluminium producer Spectro Alloys. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Kuwait Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Trump announces $200 billion in deals during UAE visit, AI agreement signed
Gulf aims to join global AI centers • Agreement to allow US chip imports ABU DHABI: President Donald Trump on Thursday pledged to strengthen US ties to the United Arab Emirates and announced deals with the Gulf state totaling over $200 billion and the two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence. After Trump's meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the White House said he announced deals that included a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways to invest in 28 Boeing and 777x aircraft powered by engines made by GE Aerospace. The US Commerce Department said the two countries also agreed to establish a 'US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership' framework and Trump and Sheikh Mohamed attended the unveiling of a new 5GW AI campus, which would be the largest outside the United States. Sources have said the agreements will give the Gulf country expanded access to advanced artificial intelligence chips from the US after previously facing restrictions over Washington's concerns that China could access the technology. Trump began a visit to the UAE on the latest stage of a tour of wealthy Gulf states after hailing plans by Doha to invest $10 billion in a US military facility during a trip to Qatar. ABU DHABI: US President Donald Trump (right) listens to a presentation on civil aviation investments during a business forum in Abu Dhabi on May 16, 2025. -- AFP 'I have absolutely no doubt that the relationship will only get bigger and better,' Trump said in a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. 'Your wonderful brother came to Washington a few weeks ago and he told us about your generous statement as to the 1.4 trillion,' Trump said, referring to a UAE pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in the US over 10 years. Trump was referring to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed's brother and the UAE's national security adviser and chairman of two of Abu Dhabi's deep-pocketed sovereign wealth funds. A White House fact sheet said Trump had secured $200 billion in new US-UAE deals and accelerated the previously committed $1.4 trillion. It said Emirates Global Aluminum would invest to develop a $4 billion primary aluminum smelter project in Oklahoma, while ExxonMobil Corp, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources were partnering with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in expanded oil and natural gas production valued at $60 billion. Sheikh Mohamed told Trump the UAE was 'keen to continue and strengthen this friendship for the benefit of the two countries and peoples,' adding to Trump: 'your presence here today, your excellency, the president, confirms that this keenness is mutual.' Before his departure for the UAE, Trump said in a speech to US troops at the Al-Udeid Air Base southwest of Doha that defense purchases signed by Qatar on Wednesday were worth $42 billion. UAE has been seeking US help to make the wealthy Gulf nation a global leader in artificial intelligence. The US has a preliminary agreement with the UAE to allow it to import 500,000 of Nvidia's most advanced AI chips a year, starting this year, Reuters reported on Wednesday. The deal would boost the UAE's construction of data centers vital to developing AI models, although the agreement has provoked national security concerns among sectors of the US government. The AI agreement 'includes the UAE committing to invest in, build, or finance US data centers that are at least as large and as powerful as those in the UAE,' the White House said. 'The agreement also contains historic commitments by the UAE to further align their national security regulations with the United States, including strong protections to prevent the diversion of US-origin technology.' Former US President Joe Biden's administration had imposed strict oversight of exports of US AI chips to the Middle East and other regions. Among Biden's fears were that the prized semiconductors would be diverted to China and buttress its military strength. At the UAE presidential palace, Trump and Sheikh Mohamed could be seen in TV footage in conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Trump said he would probably return to Washington on Friday after a regional trip that began on Tuesday, although he said it was 'almost destination unknown.' Trump had hinted he could stop in Istanbul for talks on Ukraine. Other big business agreements have been signed during Trump's four-day swing through the Gulf region, including a deal for Qatar Airways to purchase up to 210 Boeing widebody jets, a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the US and $142 billion in US arms sales to the kingdom. The trip has also brought a flurry of diplomacy. Trump said in Qatar that the United States was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had 'sort of' agreed to the terms. He also announced on Tuesday the US would remove longstanding sanctions on Syria and subsequently met with Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. — Reuters
CairoScene
18-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Largest AI Campus Outside the US to Be Built in Abu Dhabi
The new AI campus will be anchored by a 5GW data centre and access to half a million Nvidia chips a year. May 18, 2025 The United Arab Emirates and the United States have unveiled plans to build the world's largest artificial intelligence campus in Abu Dhabi, which is hoped to be a major step in accelerating global AI development. The new initiative will see the creation of a 10-square-mile campus powered by a 5-gigawatt data centre and fuelled by up to 500,000 Nvidia AI chips per year, starting in 2025. The project is part of the newly announced US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies. The facility will be developed by Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42, with management and operations handled by US companies to align with American cybersecurity and export control regulations. The scale of the chip agreement—allowing the import of half a million high-performance Nvidia chips annually—marks a shift in previous US policy. The chips are central to training large AI models and enabling high-performance computing on a global scale. Strategically located to serve nearly half the world's population within a 2,000-mile radius, the campus is expected to deliver low-latency AI services across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The facility will rely on a combination of nuclear, solar, and natural gas power sources to reduce its carbon footprint while meeting massive energy demands.
Al Etihad
17-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE-US: A strategic partnership built on five decades of mutual cooperation, shared interests
17 May 2025 15:01 ABU DHABI (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, welcomed US President Donald J. Trump, during his state visit to the UAE on May 15-16, historic visit highlighted the enduring friendship, shared values, and common interests that sustain the longstanding strategic UAE-US leaders renewed their resolve to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation across all sectors for the present and future benefit of both countries. Their discussions focused on advanced technology, investment, commerce, energy, science, space and industry. AI partnership The leaders celebrated the ambitious bilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology, hailing the UAE's landmark plans to invest $1.4 trillion in the US over the next ten years, through the UAE's investment institutions. They expressed confidence that this partnership will accelerate growth and facilitate scientific governments of the UAE and the US have agreed to establish the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership framework to further bolster cooperation around critical technologies, and ensure the protection of the technologies based on a set of joint commitments. The US will facilitate deeper technology cooperation with the UAE, including the launch of a one-gigawatt AI data centre, which is part of a planned five-gigawatt UAE-US artificial intelligence technology cluster in Abu Dhabi to support regional computation demand while meeting robust US security standards and other efforts to responsibly deploy AI infrastructure, both in the UAE and globally. Middle East Both sides emphasised their steadfast commitment to a peaceful, cooperative and thriving Middle East. They underscored the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence between nations and peoples. The leaders stressed the vital role of education, community engagement, and strong family values in instilling these principles and fostering open resilient sides commended the depth of the UAE–US security and defense partnership, and reiterated their intention to further strengthen and expand bilateral defense cooperation. The meeting also reaffirmed the UAE's unequivocal stance against terrorism and extremism in all forms, and underscored the shared commitment to working with international partners to promote international peace and security. Space industry The two leaders also celebrated the growing UAE-US- partnership in space, including the successful cooperation on the Emirates Mars Mission, human spaceflight, and the Emirates Asteroid Belt Mission. The leaders emphasised the importance of advancing scientific discovery, and expanding bilateral collaboration on deep space and lunar Trump attended a special exhibition on space exploration, where Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, briefed President Trump on his journey to space, and highlighted the growing cooperation between the UAE and the US in this field. The two leaders also discussed specific ways to deepen research cooperation across academic, private, and government sectors in both countries, including roadmaps for technology access aimed at advancing scientific progress and unlocking economic growth. CybersecurityDuring the visit, the UAE and the US also agreed to continue to collaborate closely to support the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), a White House-led effort aimed at strengthening global resilience against ransomware threats. This partnership includes joint contributions to the Crystal Ball platform, which facilitates real-time cyber threat intelligence sharing among member Trump highlighted the US Administration's efforts to reduce regulatory barriers, foster a more efficient investment environment, and expedite permitting processes. The US is developing a fast-track process for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviews. Energy President Trump joined His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for a business roundtable with leading CEOs from both participants highlighted the UAE's role as the US's largest trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral trade reaching $34.4 billion in US maintains a substantial trade surplus with the UAE—its third largest globally—and the UAE is on track to becoming the leading source of foreign direct investment into the US. The meeting welcomed a series of new investments, including ADNOC's $60 billion in expanded energy partnerships with major US firms, and Emirates Global Aluminum's $4 billion smelter in also covered cooperation in technology, energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, and leaders from both countries also welcomed initiating negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement. Bilateral relations Both countries shared their commitments towards strengthening strategic cooperation and partnership across the energy sector. The UAE's nuclear power programme, the first in the Gulf, is the global benchmark for safe and secure deployment of civilian nuclear energy in alignment with US operational excellence. Furtherin the strategic partnership, the two sides discussed joint R&D and capacity-building opportunities in next-generation nuclear technologies for peaceful two countries also highlighted the strategic collaboration, between the UAE's International Resources Holding (IRH) and the US International Development Finance Corporation, to advance responsible mining initiatives. The partnership will co-invest in critical minerals projects to secure resilient supply chains for materials that are essential to clean energy and advanced the two leaders hailed the significant progress that has already been achieved in advancing regional prosperity and strategic connectivity. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the India-Israel-United Arab Emirates-United States (I2U2) Group will leverage new infrastructure, connectivity, and emerging partnerships to deliver the multilateral level, the two leaders discussed the US' priorities as the incoming President of the Group of the Twenty (G20) in 2026. Recognising the UAE's recurrent and active participation in the G20, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Trump reiterated both countries' commitment to constructive and active cooperation under the US Presidency of the Group next UAE emphasised the importance of international cooperation in addressing global water challenges, and highlighted its commitment to advancing water security and innovation. In this regard, the UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference alongside Senegal, positioning it as a key platform to drive global action and partnerships in President Trump visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to explore its cultural message promoting coexistence and tolerance, inspired by the values of the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Trump also toured the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, where he underscored the significance of the Abraham Accords as a cornerstone for advancing regional peace, mutual respect, and interfaith line with the expanding ties between the two countries, the leaders welcomed the announcement of the new UAE consulate in Miami, the conclusion of his visit, President Donald J. Trump expressed his sincere appreciation to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the people of the UAE for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. He commended the UAE's leadership, and reaffirmed the strength of the enduring partnership between the two nations and peoples. Fact Sheet: New Bilateral Agreements and Commercial Deals announced during President Trump's visit to the UAE Consistent with their commitment to safeguarding national security systems, critical infrastructure, and advanced technologies, both countries committed to deepening cooperation to strengthen their resilience against evolving cyber and technological the UAE government's Cybersecurity Council announced:· In partnership with Google Cloud, the establishment of a cybersecurity center of excellence, aimed at pioneering world-class cybersecurity research and training while advancing the development and delivery of cloud services.· In partnership with Lockheed Martin, enabled through the Tawazun Economic Programme, and overseen by the Tawazun Council, the establishment of a cybersecurity center of excellence focused on advanced research, training, and industry collaboration to strengthen national cyber capabilities and foster innovation and talent development. During the visit, the UAE and the US also agreed to continue to collaborate closely to support the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), a White House-led effort aimed at strengthening global resilience against ransomware threats. This partnership includes joint contributions to the Crystal Ball platform, which facilitates real-time cyber threat intelligence sharing among member states. These efforts are further reinforced by ongoing collaborations between the UAE Cyber Security Council and key US entities such as the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, the US-UAE Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing cybersecurity, innovation, and economic security. Trump's Middle East visit Continue full coverage Furthermore, the UAE and the US outlined their shared vision for a prosperous and sustainable future through a series of new commercial agreements and partnerships, reflecting a strategic alignment poised to unlock new opportunities and drive global innovation Technology and Innovation · Next-Gen Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi: A partnership between Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Qualcomm to establish a Global Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi in order to drive innovation, and accelerate the development of advanced technologies, including AI, industrial IoT, and data centers.· Strategic Collaboration to Accelerate Edge AI Innovation in the UAE between Qualcomm and e&: A collaboration to accelerate the development and deployment of edge AI 5G industrial gateways to enhance efficiency, reliability, and performance in key industry verticals, help roll out innovative edge AI devices, including AI PCs, XR, and wearables integrating the latest AI models. The joint effort will drive innovation in smart mobility solutions to improve safety and user experiences, ensuring the UAE's transport infrastructure is future-ready. · Amazon Web Services, e&, and the UAE Cybersecurity Council unveiled a launchpad for public sector and regulated industries cloud adoption that is expected to contribute $181 billion to the UAE's digital economy by 2033. The partnership includes the establishment of the new UAE Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Bureau. Energy· Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership (CSEP): Both sides agreed to launch a framework between ADNOC and the US Department of Energy to underscore the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen strategic cooperation across the energy sector, drive sustainable economic growth, enhance energy security, and promote innovation and technological leadership in the global energy landscape. The CSEP will serve as a platform for both countries to align on strategic energy priorities, facilitate joint investments, and advance collaboration across a wide range of areas.· Upper Zakum Production Capacity Expansion: A partnership between ADNOC, ExxonMobil, and JODCO to increase oil production capacity of Abu Dhabi's Upper Zakum offshore field.· Shah Sour Gas Strategic Collaboration Agreement: An agreement between ADNOC and Occidental Petroleum to explore expanding production capacity at the Shah Sour Gas field.· Unconventional Concession for Onshore Block: ADNOC and EOG Resources entered into an agreement for unconventional oil exploration concession for Unconventional Onshore Block 3 in Abu Dhabi.· Cooperation between XRG and Oxy on South Texas DAC Project: XRJ and OXY will evaluate a significant investment in 1PointFive's South Texas Direct Air Capture project, which aims to capture 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually using advanced, commercial-scale technology. Advanced Manufacturing and Infrastructure · Aluminium Smelter in Oklahoma: Emirates Global Aluminium and the Government of Oklahoma announced plans to develop an aluminum smelter – the first new aluminium smelter in the US in 40 years, expected to create up to 1,000 jobs and bolster US manufacturing capacity.· Gallium Project: A collaboration between Emirates Global Aluminium, Tawazun Council, and Raytheon Emirates to explore opportunities in advanced materials production. Aviation · Etihad and Boeing announced the purchase of up to 28 aircraft. Healthcare and Life Sciences · M42 and Oracle Health agreed to create a unified, longitudinal patient record, integrating genomics that is accessible through Oracle's AI-powered Health Data Intelligence platform, to advance precision medicine initiatives, prioritise prevention and support data-driven, personalised healthcare across the UAE. · Strategic partnership between G42, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Oracle to innovate new healthcare delivery models leveraging AI, to deliver more effective, scalable, and affordable care. This model of care will focus on prevention, longevity, and healthy living, and redesign the delivery of care across populations and borders.
