The US has a preliminary deal with the United Arab Emirates to import 500,000 advanced Nvidia AI chips per year starting in 2025.
Around 100,000 chips per year might go to UAE AI firm G42, with the rest destined for US companies like Microsoft and Oracle for AI data centers in the Emirates.
The deal is expected to run until at least 2027 but could extend to 2030, with an agreement for G42 to build a data center in the US for every one it builds in the UAE.
The deals signify a move towards the Middle East becoming a key provider of AI data centers, raising concerns in Washington about possible national security risks and ties with Chinese companies.