President Joe Biden is set to host the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the White House on Monday.
The visit will focus on discussions around the UAE’s ambitious plans for artificial intelligence (AI), a project attracting both American and Chinese interest.
The Gulf state, known for its wealth from oil and long-standing security ties with the U.S., is aiming to build its own advanced tech industry with American support.
G42, the UAE’s state-backed technology firm, has already made significant strides, securing a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft and partnerships with Nvidia and Cerebras Systems.
However, the U.S. has raised concerns about the UAE’s close ties with China, leading to restrictions on some American tech exports over fears it could be shared with Beijing.
In response to U.S. pressure, G42 has removed Chinese hardware and divested Chinese investments to strengthen ties with American firms.
Ahead of the White House visit, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, emphasized the importance of the UAE partnering with the U.S. on technological advancements, stating that missing out on these innovations would be detrimental. The talks between Biden and Sheikh Mohamed are expected to cover key areas of cooperation, including AI, advanced technology, investments, and space exploration.
This marks Sheikh Mohamed’s first visit to the White House as president, though he previously met with President Biden in Saudi Arabia in 2022.
During this trip, the UAE leader is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and leaders from the American business community, further cementing ties between the two nations.
The UAE has been heavily investing in AI, developing chatbot applications in Arabic and Hindi, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT as Emirati officials believe that AI will boost the UAE’s global influence long after the demand for oil declines.
Faisal Al Bannai, Sheikh Mohamed’s adviser on advanced technology, highlighted the country’s potential to compete on a global scale in AI development.
UAE officials argue that controlling its own AI is crucial to maintaining technological sovereignty, ensuring that no foreign power can influence its performance. Al Bannai stressed the importance of the UAE developing globally competitive AI technology, saying the nation must avoid relying on external actors for technological updates.
Despite U.S. concerns about the UAE’s ties with China, American officials see an opportunity to deepen tech cooperation with Abu Dhabi, potentially creating a strategic divide between the UAE and Beijing. The UAE’s Minister of State for AI, Omar Sultan Al Olama, reiterated the country’s commitment to long-term tech partnerships with the U.S., emphasizing transparency and alignment with Washington.
China, however, is also seeking to strengthen its AI ties with the UAE. During a visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his desire for deeper AI collaboration. Chinese AI companies such as SenseTime and Terminus Group, both involved in facial recognition technology, are already active in the UAE, raising further concerns for the U.S. government.Biden Hosts UAE President for White House Talks on AI Amid U.S.-China Rivalry