UAE Firmly Opposes U.S. Interference in Its AI Partnerships with China

In recent years, the U.S. has intensified its pressure on China's artificial intelligence (AI) industry, but the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resisted these efforts. According to a Reuters report on the 30th, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Special Committee on China sought to meet with the UAE AI company G42, which recently received U.S. investment. However, the meeting did not take place due to interventions from the UAE's ambassador to the U.S.

Reuters cited a spokesperson for Congress who stated that the planned meeting with G42 has been canceled. The spokesperson for the Special Committee on China expressed increasing concerns over the G42-Microsoft deal, especially given the UAE’s reluctance to engage directly in discussions. Congress is expected to enhance its oversight of the related negotiations.

In April, Forbes reported that Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, calling it a key player in the UAE’s AI sector. Meanwhile, the Washington Post pointed out that G42’s collaboration with Chinese companies has raised alarms within the U.S. government, resulting in congressional scrutiny. Some U.S. lawmakers worry that sensitive technologies might transfer to G42, heightening legislative oversight.

A spokesperson for the UAE embassy in the U.S. told Reuters that the meeting was canceled due to communication issues. Additionally, U.S. congressional staff aim to form a discussion group during their regional visit from the 16th to the 19th, focusing on advanced chip transfers from companies like Nvidia to the UAE and Saudi Arabia amid U.S.-China technological competition.

Wen Shaobiao, an assistant researcher at Shanghai International Studies University’s Middle East Research Institute, noted that the U.S. has a systematic approach to safeguarding against China in AI. Washington aims to strengthen its influence by rallying allies to counter China's technological advancements. Recently, collaboration between China and Gulf nations like the UAE in high-tech sectors, including AI, has been deepening, drawing significant attention.

Foreign media reported that the Biden administration implemented new restrictions on AI chip exports last year, aiming to cut off Chinese companies' access to these chips. The U.S. also requires permits for chip exports to the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries.

Wen believes that the likelihood of U.S. political intervention effectively disrupting China-UAE tech cooperation is low. On one hand, there is a strong complementarity between China and the UAE in the AI sector, and the internal drive for collaboration remains robust, with the UAE reluctant to jeopardize its strategic interests. On the other hand, the UAE aims to maintain its strategic autonomy in the U.S.-China rivalry and avoid becoming a pawn in the conflict.