The United States has granted its first licences for exporting Nvidia AI chips to the United Arab Emirates, marking a major step in the implementation of the landmark US-UAE Artificial Intelligence Acceleration Partnership signed in May. The licences, issued by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, are part of a broader effort to deepen cooperation in AI and advanced technology.
The move follows plans by the UAE for reciprocal investment in the US and aligns with its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy under the Centennial 2071 vision, which aims to make the country a global AI hub. The partnership includes the development of a 5-gigawatt US-UAE AI Campus, announced earlier this year, as well as collaborations between Nvidia, Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute, and other major tech players to create next-generation AI and robotics technologies.
While the exact value of the approved chip shipments and related investments remains undisclosed, the agreement is set to allow the UAE to import up to 500,000 of Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips annually starting in 2025. This collaboration is seen as a key step in cementing the UAE’s position in the global AI ecosystem while fostering technological exchange between the two nations.