During his official visit to the United States, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed held high-level discussions with key executives from BlackRock, Microsoft, and Nvidia to explore advancements in modern technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The talks, reported by state news agency Wam, emphasized the UAE’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies and fostering deeper collaborations with global partners.
Strategic Collaborations in Technology
Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the potential of advanced technologies to drive economic progress and create opportunities, expressing a strong desire to enhance cooperation with leading tech companies. Executives Larry Fink (BlackRock), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and Jensen Huang (Nvidia) conveyed their eagerness to continue collaborative efforts in the realm of advanced technology.
New Initiatives and Investments
As part of the UAE’s strategy to position itself as a global technology hub, Microsoft announced the establishment of a new Global Engineering Development Centre in Abu Dhabi—the first of its kind in the Arab world. Nadella stated that this center would attract global talent and facilitate innovation that drives economic growth in the region.
Additionally, G42, an Abu Dhabi-based AI company, recently partnered with Nvidia to enhance global weather forecasting accuracy through the creation of a Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi. This initiative is part of Nvidia’s Earth-2 project, which utilizes AI for high-resolution climate simulations.
Partnerships for Future Growth
In another significant development, the Mubadala-backed technology investment firm MGX joined forces with Microsoft and BlackRock to raise up to $100 billion, aiming to revolutionize the AI landscape. This follows Microsoft’s earlier $1.5 billion investment in G42, reinforcing their collaboration to propel the AI company’s global expansion.
Bilateral Discussions with US Leadership– Sheikh Mohamed
Sheikh Mohamed’s meetings with tech leaders followed discussions with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, where both parties outlined a shared vision for advancing technology and clean energy initiatives. The leaders emphasized their commitment to establishing a UAE-US agreement on AI, focusing on the responsible development and deployment of these technologies while ensuring national security.
Conclusion
The collaborative efforts highlighted during Sheikh Mohamed’s visit signify a robust commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth in the UAE. With major tech companies investing in the region and a focus on AI, the UAE is positioning itself as a leader in the global technology sector.
