In a landmark move signaling deepening technological ties, the U.S. Commerce Department has officially authorized the export of advanced American semiconductors to the UAE’s G42 and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN. The approval allows both companies to purchase the equivalent of up to 35,000 of Nvidia’s powerful Blackwell chips (GB300s), a critical component for building large-scale AI infrastructure.
A Strategic Nod to MENA’s AI Ambitions
The announcement, which came during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to the U.S. since 2018, underscores strong American support for the ambitious AI roadmaps of both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Both G42 and HUMAIN are spearheading major data center projects in their respective nations.
In a statement, the Commerce Department noted, “These approvals will promote continued American AI dominance and global technological leadership… The approvals also follow landmark U.S.-Saudi and U.S.-UAE AI partnership agreements.”
Partnership with Rigorous Oversight
While the deal unlocks access to cutting-edge technology, it comes with stringent conditions. The U.S. Commerce Department emphasized that the approvals are contingent on both G42 and HUMAIN meeting rigorous security and reporting requirements.
“The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is engaging with the companies regarding these requirements and will monitor compliance on an ongoing basis,” the department added.
This approval is a significant step for Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN, which earlier announced plans to acquire a staggering 600,000 Nvidia AI chips as part of its collaboration with Elon Musk’s xAI to develop massive data centers in the Kingdom.
Setting a New Gold Standard in AI Security
Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE ambassador to the U.S., hailed the decision as another milestone in the trusted partnership between the two nations, reflecting confidence in their collaboration on advanced technology and national security.
“The White House’s decision to authorize U.S. chip exports to the UAE marks another milestone in the trusted and enduring partnership between our two nations. The authorization follows sustained engagement between both governments and reflects the confidence that underpins our collaboration in advanced technology and national security,” Al Otaiba commented.
He further detailed that ongoing UAE investments in U.S. data centers, AI systems, semiconductor fabrication, and advanced manufacturing are part of a long-term strategy to bolster capacity and resilience in both countries. This access to U.S. technology supports collaboration with global partners like Microsoft, Oracle, OpenAI, and NVIDIA.
“Together, we are collaboratively setting a new ‘Gold Standard’ for securing AI models, chips, data and access,” he concluded.
About G42
G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based, global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. The company is at the forefront of AI development, driving progress and innovation across various sectors to solve complex real-world challenges.
About HUMAIN
HUMAIN is a transformative technology company backed by the Saudi government. It is dedicated to driving the future of innovation through people-centric AI, aiming to enhance human potential and build a more connected world.
Source: Economy Middle East
