UAE Aims for Stronger AI and Tech Partnerships in Biden Talks Amid Growing US Concerns Over China’s Interest, Reports Reuters

By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI – President Joe Biden is scheduled to welcome the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday for discussions at the White House focused on the Gulf nation’s ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative has also sparked interest from China’s government, which presents a geopolitical challenge for the U.S.

The UAE, a prosperous oil producer and a longstanding security ally of the United States, seeks enhanced access to American technology to develop its advanced tech sector. G42, a state-supported technology firm, has already attracted a substantial $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft and has teamed up with chipmaker Nvidia. The company is also employing supercomputers provided by Cerebras Systems.

However, the U.S. has expressed concerns regarding the UAE’s close ties with China, prompting the implementation of restrictions on the export of certain American technologies to the UAE and other countries in the Middle East due to fears of technology transfer to Beijing.

Under pressure from the Biden administration, G42 made significant changes this year by removing Chinese hardware and divesting Chinese investments to align better with American companies, setting the stage for the Microsoft investment.

"We cannot let this sort of wave of technological breakthroughs pass by us without forming some kind of partnership," said Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, ahead of the visit.

During the White House meeting, Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will explore ways to deepen cooperation, particularly in advanced technology, AI, investment, and space exploration.

This visit marks the first time a sitting UAE president has visited the White House. Sheikh Mohamed previously attended meetings with President Obama in 2015 and President Trump in 2017, and he met President Biden in Saudi Arabia in 2022.

In addition to the presidential discussions, the UAE leader is expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and influential figures from the American business community.

The UAE is investing significantly in AI development, including creating Arabic and Hindi language chatbot applications akin to those produced by OpenAI. Emirati officials believe that positioning the country as a leader in AI will enhance its global standing, ensuring its relevance in the economy even as oil demand wanes.

"We are poised to be a pivotal player in this new information and technology age," stated Faisal Al Bannai, an advisor on strategic research and advanced technology to Sheikh Mohamed. He expressed confidence in the UAE’s potential to create competitive AI solutions on the global stage.

Emirati officials also emphasize the importance of developing independent AI capabilities to prevent external parties from disrupting or altering their technologies. "We do not want to find ourselves in a position where our technological advancement is dictated by others," Al Bannai noted.

Despite U.S. concerns about the UAE’s relationship with China, some believe that nurturing AI collaboration and strengthening ties with the UAE could help the U.S. separate Abu Dhabi from Beijing’s influence.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, acknowledged the need for closer alignment with the U.S., expressing a commitment to being a strategic partner in technology for the long term. "We aim to pursue our ambitions the right way, focusing on partnership and transparency," he remarked.

Conversely, China also views the UAE as a key technology partner. During Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to Beijing in May, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for enhanced cooperation in AI.

Moreover, certain Chinese AI companies, including SenseTime and Terminus Group, are operating in the UAE, despite U.S. sanctions against them due to alleged military connections. Terminus Group’s Chief Scientist, Ling Shao, highlighted the numerous opportunities present in the UAE.

While U.S. officials remain cautious about the UAE’s AI initiatives and connections to China, American industry recognizes the UAE’s significant financial backing for AI research and a government that is dedicated to fostering technological advancement.

"They are among the leaders today and are well on their way to reaching the very top," stated Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras, in July.