UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) company G42 anticipates that the world's most advanced batch of chips will be delivered to the UAE within the coming months. Analysis suggests this will further propel the company to a significant position in the global technology sector. G42's Chief Executive Officer, Peng Xiao, stated in an interview with media at Davos that this shipment will include products from NVIDIA, AMD, and the US startup Cerebras Systems. The Middle East is increasingly becoming a hub for technology companies, with firms including OpenAI and Microsoft expanding their presence, attracted by the region's ample capital and relatively low computational energy costs. Last November, the US approved the sale of tens of thousands of advanced AI chips to G42 and Saudi Arabia's Humain. Weeks later, the UAE and the US signed the "Pax Silica" agreement, committing to enhanced cooperation in technology supply chains. Peng Xiao indicated that the first phase of a large data center project in Abu Dhabi, offering 200 megawatts of computing power, is expected to go live "within the next few months." G42 plans to add between 200 and 500 megawatts of computing power each quarter, aiming to expand the campus to a maximum capacity of approximately 5 gigawatts within the next few years. This project is part of OpenAI's "Stargate" plan for overseas expansion, with the goal of building large-scale AI infrastructure outside the United States. Addressing concerns that the global race to build data centers might lead to overcapacity, Peng Xiao dismissed this view, particularly regarding the computing power required to run AI models for users. He told the media: "Supply will struggle to keep up with demand." Chaired by UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, G42 plays a central role in the UAE's strategy to become a global AI powerhouse. The company has secured a $1.5 billion partnership with Microsoft and, alongside sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company, is a founding partner of the AI investment platform MGX. While the UAE is increasing its focus on AI, regional countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are also rapidly scaling up related investments. Peng Xiao downplayed talk of competition, suggesting this broader regional activity reflects genuine global demand for AI. However, also at Davos, the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority stated that the fund would adopt a more cautious and selective investment strategy in AI this year. Meanwhile, the CEO of Mubadala expressed that the fund has "very strong conviction" in the AI industry.
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