The global AI race is heating up, and two powerful nations — the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States — are stepping up as front-runners. While the US leads in developing cutting-edge semiconductor chips, the UAE offers an unmatched supply of affordable energy to power massive AI data centers. This unique combination is helping both nations dominate the AI space.
A Strategic Alliance for Artificial Intelligence Leadership
The UAE has long been focused on diversifying its economy beyond oil, and artificial intelligence is now at the center of that plan. At the same time, the US, under President Donald Trump, aims to make American firms global leaders in AI, especially as competition with China grows fiercer. Together, they are investing billions in this shared mission.
Stargate AI Campus: A Bold Leap Forward in the Global AI Race
During Trump’s May visit to Abu Dhabi, OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, and Cisco announced a major AI initiative — the Stargate UAE AI Campus, set to launch in 2026. With an initial 200-megawatt AI cluster arriving next year, the UAE will gain access to Nvidia’s advanced chips and American AI technology.
The project is part of a $500 billion private investment fund launched by OpenAI, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and Japan’s SoftBank. This effort reflects the growing importance of the global AI race, with the UAE positioned as a key player in the Middle East.
From Crude Oil to Compute Power
According to analysts, the partnership between the US and Gulf nations is transforming. It’s no longer just about oil and weapons — it’s about “compute,” or the computing power needed for AI. The UAE now aims to become a major global AI hub, offering services to emerging markets in languages like Hindi and Swahili.
Why the UAE Is Betting on the US in the Global AI Race
To ensure its place in the global AI race, the UAE is choosing to align closely with the United States. Emirati AI firm G42 has cut ties with Chinese companies, including selling its $100 million stake in ByteDance, to stay in good standing with U.S. export rules and access Nvidia’s best chips.
Venture expert Baghdad Gherras explains, “The UAE understands that to lead in AI, you need access to the best compute — and right now, that means American technology.”
A Future Powered by Artificial Intelligence
The UAE’s homegrown Falcon AI large language model shows the country’s commitment to becoming a leader in AI. Experts say the region could soon offer “compute as a service” to developing countries, becoming a key player in the tech space just like it once was in the energy market.
Mohammed Soliman from the Middle East Institute says, “This shift from energy to AI represents a huge opportunity for the UAE to boost its global influence.”
America’s Push to Win the Global AI Race
The US is also expanding its AI presence worldwide, especially in friendly markets like the Middle East. OpenAI’s partnership with the UAE to roll out ChatGPT nationwide is just one part of this strategy. The goal is to make sure American-made AI technologies take root in as many regions as possible.
Chris Lehane from OpenAI summed it up by saying, “We believe countries would prefer democratic AI systems that they can use for their national development, rather than depending on tech from authoritarian states.”
Conclusion: A Powerful Partnership Shaping the Future
The growing partnership between the UAE and the US is changing the landscape of artificial intelligence. As both countries continue to invest heavily in compute power, infrastructure, and AI innovation, their combined efforts are placing them firmly at the front of the global AI race. This strategic relationship is not just reshaping economies — it’s redefining who leads in the tech world of tomorrow. If you want to stay updated with trendy news, then stay tuned with 10X Times News.
