The US government has approved the export of advanced AI chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the UAE as part of its partnership with Emirati AI firm G42. The move comes amid concerns over the potential risks of sharing sensitive technology with China.
G42, led by UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, has faced scrutiny for its ties to Chinese firms involved in surveillance and research for the military. To alleviate US concerns, G42 has removed hardware made by Huawei from its systems and divested from Chinese companies.
However, critics argue that these measures do not address the underlying issue of China’s access to advanced AI technology. The approved export license requires Microsoft to prevent access to the facility by personnel from certain countries or organizations with ties to China.
The partnership between Microsoft and G42 is part of a US effort to counter China’s growing influence in the region. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states are expected to play key roles in this effort, which aims to develop AI infrastructure and promote regional cooperation.
As President-elect Trump takes office, his administration will need to balance its priorities on limiting China’s access to sensitive technology with fostering US-UAE relations.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/us-uae-microsoft-g42-ai-chips