President Trump’s recent trip to the Gulf has resulted in major deals between the US and Middle Eastern countries, marking a significant shift in the region’s artificial intelligence landscape. The agreements, worth billions of dollars, aim to make the Gulf states key players in the global AI market.
The US government views these partnerships as crucial in staying ahead of China’s growing influence in AI technology. Trump’s administration is optimistic about the potential for these deals to bring significant private and foreign investment into the country.
However, not everyone shares this enthusiasm. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns that the deals could pose a threat to US national security, as advanced AI chips could potentially fall into the hands of adversaries like China.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration maintains that it can ensure US tech is safeguarded while pursuing these multibillion-dollar deals. The White House argues that robust security standards and responsible deployment of AI infrastructure will be in place for the Gulf states.
The move marks a significant departure from previous policy approaches under President Biden, which focused more on security concerns. Instead, the Trump administration prioritizes accelerating innovation and cutting red tape to stay competitive with China.
As the US and Gulf states partner on these major deals, experts are watching closely to see how this development will shape the global AI landscape in the years to come.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/18/trump-gulf-ai-deals-saudi-uae-security-china-risk