The White House and US Department of Commerce approved the export of 35,000 advanced US AI semiconductors to the UAE, marking the most consequential outcome of a year of deepening US–UAE alignment. The approval cleared the way for shipments to begin in the months that followed. The decision followed sustained engagement at the highest levels, beginning with Sheikh Tahnoon's visit to Washington, formalized through President Trump's visit to Abu Dhabi and advanced through the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership launched in May.

In a statement, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba emphasized that the approval reflected US confidence in the UAE as a trusted partner in advanced technology and national security. The authorization enabled G42's role as a globally scaled AI infrastructure leader and supported collaboration with leading US technology companies including Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, OpenAI, NVIDIA, AMD and Cerebras, as the first phase of the 5GW US-UAE AI Campus remained under development.

Read the full perspective ↗

Microsoft announced plans to invest $15–$15.2 billion in G42 by 2029, establishing one of the largest long-term partnerships between a US technology company and a global AI infrastructure leader. The investment will support the deployment of Microsoft-backed AI data centers, cloud infrastructure and advanced compute capacity across the UAE, enabled by new US export licenses for NVIDIA chips.

The commitment positions G42 as the primary platform for scaling trusted AI infrastructure under the US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. Building on this momentum, G42 and Cisco signed a landmark agreement to co-develop AI-ready data centers using AMD GPUs and Cisco’s networking and cybersecurity technologies, advancing secure AI deployment across public and private sectors.

Following President Trump’s May visit and the launch of the US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, Stargate UAE entered its build-out phase, with the first 200 MW under development and scheduled to come online in 2026. The campus—built by G42 with Oracle data infrastructure, NVIDIA chips and Microsoft cloud services—represents the operational execution of commitments announced earlier in the year.

October also saw Mubadala co-invest $1.4 billion in Crusoe, a US-based AI infrastructure company valued at more than $10 billion. The investment expanded UAE participation in large-scale US data centers, including major facilities in Texas and Wyoming, further reinforcing transatlantic AI infrastructure ties.

MGX partnered with Silver Lake to acquire a 51% stake in Altera, Intel’s programmable chip business. The transaction positioned Altera as the world’s largest independent FPGA provider and placed UAE investment capital at the center of the US semiconductor and AI hardware ecosystem—supporting supply-chain resilience and next-generation compute.

G42 was named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list as a Rising AI Power. The recognition reflected the company’s growing global profile and expanding partnerships with American technology leaders.

While notable, the recognition followed—and was enabled by—the larger milestones unfolding throughout the year.

President Donald Trump's visit to Abu Dhabi marked a defining geopolitical moment, formally launching the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. The framework established new pathways for collaboration in artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, secure data infrastructure and energy, linking earlier diplomatic engagement with concrete execution.

At the center of the announcements was a 5 GW AI campus developed by G42 with leading American partners including OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco and SoftBank. Planned across 10 square miles, the campus included a 1 GW data center, with an initial 200 MW cluster launching in 2026, representing the largest AI campus outside the United States and a direct extension of the broader Stargate vision.

During the visit, the UAE also committed $440 billion in future US energy investments, reinforcing the connection between AI infrastructure, power generation and long-term economic cooperation.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba underscored the partnership as a model for secure, transparent technology collaboration, highlighting regulatory frameworks designed to protect advanced US technologies while enabling global AI growth.

Read the full perspective ↗

The year opened with major steps toward shared AI infrastructure. MGX joined OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank to launch Stargate US, a $500 billion public-private initiative to build large-scale AI data centers across the United States over four years. The project laid the foundation for the compute capacity required to power next-generation AI models and cloud services.

HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed's visit to Washington marked a pivotal diplomatic moment in US-UAE relations. Meetings with President Donald Trump and senior US officials advanced cooperation across AI, energy, and advanced technologies and helped shape the UAE's $1.4 trillion US investment framework.

The visit connected earlier private-sector momentum with government-level alignment, setting the foundation for regulatory approvals, infrastructure partnerships, and landmark announcements that would follow later in the year.

Read the full perspective ↗

MGX deepened its US AI engagement through a strategic investment in Anthropic, reinforcing alignment with US priorities around frontier model development, safety and long-term compute access. The investment expanded cooperation across AI research, deployment and infrastructure—strengthening the UAE’s position as a trusted capital partner in advancing high-performance AI systems.

DAMAC’s EDGNEX Data Centers announced a $20 billion expansion across the United States, targeting up to 2,000 MW of data capacity in key states. The investment reinforced growing UAE participation in US digital infrastructure at a time of accelerating demand for AI-ready compute and power, complementing broader public- and private-sector momentum around AI infrastructure early in the

The year opened with major steps toward shared AI infrastructure. MGX joined OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank to launch Stargate US, a $500 billion public-private initiative to build large-scale AI data centers across the United States over four years. The project laid the foundation for the compute capacity required to power next-generation AI models and cloud services.

‍

G42, an Abu Dhabi–based artificial intelligence group, has become the first UAE company to earn a spot on the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list in 2025. TIME recognized G42 as a “Rising AI Power,” highlighting its role in advancing the UAE’s ambition to become a global AI leader by 2031.

At the heart of G42’s recognition is its massive AI campus project in Abu Dhabi, a 10-square-mile development featuring supercomputing facilities and a science park. Built in partnership with US tech giants such as OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Cisco, and SoftBank, the campus is the largest AI infrastructure project outside the United States.

G42’s influence extends across industries including healthcare, finance, energy, and space through its “Intelligence Grid” initiative, which aims to make AI more inclusive, safe, and widely accessible. Company leaders emphasize collaboration over competition, signaling a cooperative vision for AI development with other global players. With its inclusion alongside global heavyweights like OpenAI, Meta, SpaceX, and Berkshire Hathaway, G42’s recognition by TIME cements its status as both a regional trailblazer and a global force in shaping the next era of artificial intelligence.

In September 2024, MGX partnered with BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), and Microsoft to launch the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP).

This initiative aims to scale AI infrastructure globally, focusing on expanding data centers and the power infrastructure required to support AI advancements.

GAIIP has outlined an ambitious investment potential of up to $100 billion, with an initial goal of securing $30 billion in private equity capital from investors, asset owners, and corporations. The fund is designed to address the rapidly increasing demand for AI compute power, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to establishing itself as a key player in AI infrastructure development

In April 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42, a leading AI and cloud computing conglomerate that specializes in developing and deploying large-scale AI solutions across sectors.

By acquiring a minority stake in the Abu Dhabi-based company, Microsoft is looking to accelerate AI development and expand digital infrastructure in key global markets. As part of the deal, G42 will leverage Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, and Microsoft’s Vice Chair, Brad Smith, will join G42’s board, strengthening their strategic partnership. While this collaboration aligns with the UAE’s vision to become a global AI hub, it also reflects the deep-rooted trust and shared commitment between the UAE and the US to advance AI innovations that drive economic growth for both nations.

In September 2024, MGX partnered with BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), and Microsoft to launch the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP).

This initiative aims to scale AI infrastructure globally, focusing on expanding data centers and the power infrastructure required to support AI advancements.

GAIIP has outlined an ambitious investment potential of up to $100 billion, with an initial goal of securing $30 billion in private equity capital from investors, asset owners, and corporations. The fund is designed to address the rapidly increasing demand for AI compute power, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to establishing itself as a key player in AI infrastructure development

In October 2024, MGX participated in OpenAI's $6.6 billion funding round, which valued the company at $157 billion.

This investment cemented MGX’s position as a key financier in the global AI ecosystem, aligning it with Microsoft, Nvidia, and SoftBank. By backing OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, MGX is actively contributing to the expansion of cutting-edge AI research, advanced computational infrastructure, and the development of next-generation AI applications that will drive innovation across industries.

In December 2024, MGX participated in xAI's $6 billion Series C funding round, joining Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z), BlackRock, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Sequoia Capital, and sovereign wealth funds such as the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

Strategic partners NVIDIA and AMD also backed the round to accelerate xAI’s infrastructure scaling. Similar to its investment in OpenAI in October of the same year, MGX’s backing of xAI reinforces its commitment to its constant search for and support of groundbreaking AI advancements.

In just seven years, the UAE has surged from 19th place in 2017 to 5th in 2024, marking one of the fastest climbs in Stanford University’s AI vibrancy rankings. This leap reflects the UAE’s strategic investments, policy leadership, and commitment to AI innovation on the global stage.

The Global Vibrancy Tool 2024, developed by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered AI, ranks nations based on 42 AI-specific indicators, offering a data-driven assessment of global AI leadership. The tool tracks the evolution of national AI ecosystems, identifying key strengths and gaps across research, investment, talent, and infrastructure.

Named after the UAE’s highest peak, Jais is a 13-billion-parameter open-source Arabic-English LLM. It was developed by G42’s subsidiary Inception in collaboration with Cerebras Systems and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)—the world’s first AI-focused graduate research university.

Jais represents a major leap for AI in the Arabic-speaking world. Homegrown in Abu Dhabi, it empowers over 400 million Arabic speakers to leverage the capabilities of generative AI. Designed to accelerate innovation, Jais reinforces Abu Dhabi’s leadership in AI, cultural preservation, and global collaboration, positioning the UAE as the hub for cutting-edge AI development in the region.

While Jais is designed as a specialized Arabic-English model, Falcon is a multilingual, open-source LLM series developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) under Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).

Supported by G42, which provides the advanced AI infrastructure required for large-scale training and deployment, Falcon is built for broader scalability and diverse language applications.

Unlike Jais, which operates exclusively in Arabic, Falcon is designed with a global perspective and excels across multiple languages. Notably, through its three iterations, Falcon has achieved top rankings on Hugging Face's Open LLM Leaderboard, surpassing some of the world’s most advanced AI models. This versatility makes Falcon suitable for a wide range of AI applications, from enterprise solutions to research and development. By offering both large and small-scale models, Falcon reinforces Abu Dhabi’s leadership in AI research and global competitiveness, positioning the UAE as a hub for cutting-edge AI development in the region and beyond.

In May 2025, during President Trump’s historic visit to the UAE, the governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates announced the launch of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership – a strategic framework to deepen cooperation on critical technologies and ensure shared protection standards.

At its core is Stargate UAE, a 1-gigawatt compute cluster that will be built by G42 and operated in partnership with OpenAI and Oracle. Additional partners in Stargate UAE include NVIDIA, SoftBank Group Corp. and Cisco. Overall, Stargate UAE will anchor the broader 5-gigawatt UAE–US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi.

Once complete, Stargate UAE will deliver best-in-class compute infrastructure and expand US AI capabilities to serve the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, an $8 trillion economic region. The initiative will also include UAE investment in US-based Stargate infrastructure.

The story begins in 2007, when Mubadala Investment Company acquired a minority stake in AMD) supporting the chipmaker during a critical turnaround. This investment stabilized AMD and set the stage for the launch of GlobalFoundries in 2009 as a joint venture between AMD and Mubadala. That same year, Mubadala acquired a majority stake in GlobalFoundries, reviving the US semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Over the next decade, Mubadala invested over $22.4 billion into GlobalFoundries, expanding its footprint across the US, Singapore, and Germany. In 2021, GlobalFoundries went public on Nasdaq, raising $2.6 billion while Mubadala retained a significant stake. 

Most recently, in February 2024, GlobalFoundries secured $1.5 billion in CHIPS and Science Act funding to expand its New York facility and modernize its Vermont plant, reinforcing its vital role in US semiconductor manufacturing. GlobalFoundries is currently the world's third-largest semiconductor manufacturer.

TBD

G42 is a leading AI and cloud computing conglomerate that specializes in developing and deploying large-scale AI solutions across sectors. However, its role in advancing regional Large Language Models (LLMs) sets it apart.

Through its subsidiary Inception, G42 developed Jais, the world’s most advanced Arabic-English LLM, reaching over 400 million Arabic speakers. It also powers Falcon, a globally competitive open-source LLM series by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), providing the essential AI infrastructure for its development.

In September 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the first official visit of a UAE president to the United States since the nation's founding in 1971.

A significant outcome of the Presidential visit was the endorsement of the "Common Principles for Cooperation on AI" by UAE National Security Advisor HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. This framework aims to strengthen collaboration in AI and related technologies, emphasizing the development of safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems.

At the helm of MGX’s vision is its Chairman, HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan—Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor. A cerebral strategist, he is the driving force behind the UAE’s rise into the inner circle of the AI world.

Sheikh Tahnoon was recognized by TIME magazine in 2024 as one of the world’s 100 most influential figures in AI. This accolade reflects his ability to rapidly position MGX as a key backer of nearly every major AI investment deal worldwide.

Cerebras Systems is a pioneering AI chipmaker renowned for developing the world’s largest AI-specific processors, notably the Wafer-Scale Engine (WSE). This innovative chip architecture significantly enhances performance for training massive AI models, setting Cerebras apart in the rapidly evolving AI hardware landscape. Competing with industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, as well as emerging companies like Groq, Cerebras distinguishes itself with its unique wafer-scale design tailored exclusively for AI workloads.

The partnership between G42 and Cerebras Systems led to the development of the Condor Galaxy supercomputer—a powerful network designed to accelerate large-scale AI model training with exceptional speed and efficiency. Based in Santa Clara, California, it has been instrumental in training the Jais Arabic-English language model and the Falcon series of multilingual models.

Looking ahead, the UAE is rapidly expanding its data center capacity to meet surging AI demands. By 2029, Khazna aims to nearly double its installed capacity from 429 megawatts in 2024 to 850 megawatts. In October 2024, it announced a 100-megawatt AI-optimized data center in Ajman, set to go live in 2026.

With G42, Khazna, and Microsoft collaborating on multiple AI data centers, the UAE is cementing its position as a regional powerhouse for cloud computing and AI infrastructure.

An AI Acceleration Partnership, a regional AI Campus and the Launch of Stargate UAE

The governments of the United Arab Emirates and the United States have agreed to establish the "US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership", a strategic framework to deepen cooperation on critical technologies and ensure their protection under a shared set of commitments.

As part of the initiative, G42 will build Stargate UAE, a 1-gigawatt compute cluster, operated in partnership with OpenAI and Oracle. The project will serve as the foundation for the larger 5GW UAE–US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi, with additional collaboration from Cisco, SoftBank Group, and NVIDIA. This partnership will also include UAE investment into US-based Stargate infrastructure.

Stargate UAE will provide cutting-edge compute infrastructure and enhance American AI capabilities to address the growing demand across the $8 trillion economies of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Global Tech Alliance Launches Stargate UAE

In January 2025, Abu Dhabi's MGX invested in the Stargate Project, a US-based AI initiative led by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. This strategic investment positions the UAE as a key player in advancing American AI capabilities and underscores the deepening tech collaboration between the two nations.

During President Trump’s state visit to Abu Dhabi earlier this month, the UAE and U.S. unveiled a landmark agreement to deepen cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and advanced technologies. The first mover under this “U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership” is Stargate UAE. This industry collaboration between G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco and SoftBank Group expands global AI infrastructure and access, in coordination with the U.S. Government.

This new initiative will build compute capacity to deliver safe, secure and broadly beneficial AI in the UAE, U.S. and around the world. It includes dual investments:

• ⁠A 1GW Stargate UAE AI datacenter in Abu Dhabi, with 200MW planned in 2026; and
• ⁠UAE investment into digital infrastructure in the U.S.
  ‍

Importantly, this new partnership sets a global benchmark for securing advanced U.S. technology. Through the implementation of a “Regulated Technology Environment,” approved UAE organizations acquiring regulated U.S. technologies will adhere to extensive physical and cybersecurity protocols. These involve regular audits, third-party validations, and active oversight by both nations’ governments. The direct involvement of leading U.S. companies further ensures that advanced AI chips and technologies are fully protected from diversion or unauthorized access.  

This is nothing new. Reinforcing our shared commitment to technological security and integrity, this initiative is just the latest in a broad spectrum of Emirati-American partnerships, grounded in decades of mutual trust. The UAE has purchased and operates some of the U.S.’s most sophisticated defense systems and cooperates closely with the U.S. on a civilian nuclear energy program with strict safeguards.

The US elevated the UAE to A:5 export control designation — the top tier of America’s Strategic Trade Authorization system — streamlining secure access for approved UAE entities across AI, space, defense and civil nuclear energy. Ambassador Al Otaiba welcomed the designation, explaining the move “opens new doors for joint research and development, deeper technology cooperation, expanded trade and an enhanced defense partnership.”

The UAE is the first Arab nation to receive A:5 status, building on 17 years as America’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, $39 billion in annual bilateral trade and over $1 trillion in UAE investment in the US.

Read the full perspective ↗

The UAE received its first shipment of advanced AI chips, with more on the way. Announced by UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba, the chips will power the UAE’s growing AI infrastructure, including the US-UAE 5GW AI Campus and projects with OpenAI, Oracle and Cisco. The milestone signals growing US confidence in the UAE as a trusted partner for sensitive technology.

Read the full perspective ↗

The UAE joined Pax Silica, a US-led coalition committed to securing the global technology supply chain and building a trusted AI ecosystem. Signed by Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and UAE Minister of State HE Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, the UAE is the ninth signatory, joining Australia, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Pax Silica creates a framework for expanded US-UAE collaboration across semiconductors, data centers and critical mineral processing.

Read the full perspective ↗

Abu Dhabi’s Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) launched K2 Horizon, the largest fully open-source AI model release in history. The fleet, made up of six unique models, was released with full training data, code and methodology, cementing the UAE as a global leader in open-source AI. IFM developed the models across labs in Abu Dhabi, Paris and Silicon Valley.

K2 Horizon is the latest chapter in the UAE’s open-source AI story. Since 2023, the UAE has produced world-class open-source AI models, beginning with Jais and Falcon — two of the world’s most proficient large language models with advanced Arabic capabilities.

Read the full perspective ↗

Mubadala-backed GlobalFoundries won a $375 million grant from the US Commerce Department to become a designated national quantum foundry. Part of a $2 billion CHIPS Act, the grant will scale quantum hardware manufacturing at GlobalFoundries’ New York plant, creating thousands of local jobs. GlobalFoundries is one of only two companies selected alongside IBM.

Read the full perspective ↗

The UAE once again ranked first in the world for AI diffusion, according to Microsoft’s 2026 AI Economy Institute report. AI adoption in the UAE grew from 64% in late 2025 to 70.1% in early 2026, nearly double the adoption rate of the next-highest Middle Eastern country. The ranking reflects the UAE’s country-wide effort to integrate AI across all aspects of society — supported by a $15.2 billion commitment from Microsoft to build out the UAE’s AI ecosystem.

Read the full perspective ↗

Cerebras Systems went public in the largest tech IPO since 2019. The California-based AI hardware company’s growth is backed by a close partnership with UAE AI leader G42. UAE organizations are long-time Cerebras customers with G42 and MBZUAI accounting for 86% of Cerebras revenue in 2025 with $1.4 billion in additional long-term purchase agreements.

The UAE-Cerebras partnership dates back to 2022 with the $900 million Condor Galaxy supercomputer network and has since grown to include the 5GW US-UAE AI Campus and the joint development of the world’s largest AI chip.

Read the full perspective ↗

UAE and US officials held the first US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership Working Group meeting in Washington, DC. The working group serves as a forum to deepen tech cooperation and align both nations on protocols protecting American AI. UAE Minister of Investment HE Mohamed Al Suwaidi and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg chaired the inaugural session.

Read the full perspective ↗