Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, recently met with Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, and Peng Xiao, the chief executive of G42. This meeting was confirmed through a social media post, although the exact location was not disclosed. This engagement follows Sheikh Tahnoon’s earlier discussions with prominent US tech leaders such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, and Satya Nadella, as well as high-ranking officials from the current US administration.

According to MSN, a representative from G42 remarked on the significance of the meeting, stating that discussions with global leaders, including Zuckerberg and others, indicate that the era of artificial intelligence (AI) is transitioning from mere aspiration to tangible reality. They emphasized that this movement aims to ensure that AI development is inclusive, benefiting all regions, particularly the Global South, and that it promotes a collaborative intelligence grid rather than a competitive race.

The White House has announced a $1.4 trillion investment framework from the UAE directed towards enhancing AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing over the next ten years. This framework was established following a series of strategic meetings led by Sheikh Tahnoon with US and UAE officials. Last week, US President Donald Trump recognized the UAE as a vital partner in fostering peace in the Middle East, noting that key discussions during Sheikh Tahnoon’s official visit focused on bolstering cooperation in both economic and technological sectors, highlighting the “long-standing ties and bonds of friendship” between the two nations.

The UAE, recognized as the second-largest economy in the Arab world, has invested considerably in artificial intelligence in recent years. Notably, Microsoft announced a significant $1.5 billion investment in G42, the UAE’s AI and cloud company, last year. Additionally, Microsoft inaugurated its first Middle East AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi during the same year.

Furthermore, the UAE has developed several large language models, including Jais, which has made a considerable impact in the region. Jais Chat, a mobile application derived from Jais, supports both Arabic and English, further demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to advancing AI technologies.