In a significant stride toward establishing itself as a leader in artificial intelligence, the United Arab Emirates has finalized a landmark agreement with the United States to secure access to advanced AI chips. The deal enables the UAE to acquire up to 500,000 of Nvidia’s top-tier AI chips annually, equipping the nation with the computational strength to power large-scale AI initiatives and cement its role as a key player in the global technology arena.
The chips will serve as the foundation for G42’s AI mega campus—an ambitious network of data centers across the UAE projected to reach up to 5 gigawatts of processing capacity. This infrastructure will support breakthroughs in generative AI, machine learning, robotics, and quantum-inspired systems, placing the UAE in the company of global leaders in digital innovation.
UAE officials have framed the deal as a cornerstone of their “AI First” strategy, aimed at building sovereign capabilities in AI hardware, talent development, and digital policy. For the United States, the agreement not only opens a significant export channel but also strengthens a trusted ally’s role in the global AI supply chain—an important move in a world increasingly divided by tech blocs.
The partnership also includes a stringent framework of safeguards. Only vetted U.S.-approved cloud providers will operate the infrastructure, ensuring the chips and computational power stay aligned with American national security interests.
In parallel, the UAE has committed to investing $1.4 trillion in the U.S. across AI R&D, semiconductor manufacturing, and next-generation energy. Industry leaders view this as a generational opportunity to accelerate innovation ecosystems in both countries.
The deal has sparked excitement in the tech world and cautious optimism among policymakers. If executed well, it could serve as a model for future tech diplomacy, where innovation and security go hand in hand.
