The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioning itself as a trustworthy partner to the United States when it comes to safeguarding sensitive technology, particularly U.S.-made chips. Peng Xiao, CEO of UAE’s leading artificial intelligence firm G42, emphasized the country’s ability to guarantee the safety and security of U.S. chip technology, especially as Washington weighs potential restrictions on chip sales to certain regions, including the Middle East.
Speaking to CNBC at a conference in Dubai, Peng Xiao acknowledged the concerns of U.S. policymakers but reassured them about the UAE’s reliability. “We’ve shown from the UAE side how transparent we are and how we can guarantee the safety and the security of this technology,” Peng Xiao said, in reference to possible U.S. restrictions on chip sales from companies like Nvidia and AMD over fears that the technology could fall into the hands of China.
Peng Xiao’s comments come as the Biden administration contemplates new measures to limit the sale of advanced chips to the Middle East, particularly as tensions rise regarding China’s access to sensitive U.S. technology. While Peng Xiao did not specify the exact steps being taken to secure chip imports, he expressed optimism about future collaboration between the UAE and the U.S., predicting more joint development in AI and technology sharing between the two nations.
G42, a prominent player in the UAE’s AI ambitions, has previously come under scrutiny for its ties to China. Earlier this year, the company sold its stakes in Chinese firms, including Bytedance, to allay U.S. concerns and strengthen its relationship with American partners. This move was seen as part of a broader effort by the UAE to distance itself from China in technology collaborations.
In a significant show of confidence, Microsoft signed a $1.5 billion deal with G42 in April. Additionally, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan led a delegation to Washington in September, which included G42’s leadership. During the visit, the UAE and the U.S. released a joint statement on AI cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to advancing AI technologies together.
The UAE’s ambassador to Washington, Yousef al-Otaiba, described the UAE as a country moving quickly on advanced technologies and closely aligned with the U.S. in AI development. With $1 trillion already invested in U.S. sectors, the UAE seeks to expand its partnership in AI, as global interest in advanced U.S.-made technology grows, particularly in the Gulf region.
