Partnering in AI Investment to Develop Talent and Make Chips, the UAE and France

Dubai, Abu Dhabi – A cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) investment between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France aims to produce semiconductors and nurture talent, therefore supporting the UAE’s technological push. Through important industry innovations and deployments, the collaboration—which was announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Wednesday—is expected to improve the AI ecosystems in both nations.

The Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) and the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France signed a preliminary agreement to formalise the cooperation. Member of AIATC and group chief executive of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company Khaldoon Al Mubarak and France’s Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire signed the agreement.

“This partnership aims to strengthen the AI infrastructure, including data centers and supercomputers, and covers AI training, cloud and data, startup investments, and AI applications across various sectors such as health, finance, software, retail, and industry,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

Bruno Le Maire underlined the possibilities of the economic collaboration during a separate media roundtable, calling it a “win-win” for both countries. He underlined that the alliance will greatly improve bilateral AI capabilities and was formed on the decisions of French President Emmanuel Macron and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed.

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“The UAE and France agree that artificial intelligence is revolutionary. We want the UAE and France to produce more of the top AI experts, researchers, and students,” Le Maire declared.

The Sorbonne University in France will offer skill development at its Abu Dhabi location. Utilising Mubadala’s technological access through its ownership in US-based GlobalFoundries, the partnership will also concentrate on developing and manufacturing chips for AI applications.

To be ready for the economy and society of the future, the UAE wants to be known as a hub and leader in AI worldwide. The UAE hit a big milestone in April when US IT behemoth Microsoft revealed a $1.5 billion investment in Abu Dhabi AI leader G42.

Mubadala had earlier announced intentions to spend heavily in space technology and artificial intelligence in strategic regions. At the Investopia conference in Abu Dhabi in February, Khaldoon Al Mubarak mentioned these aspirations, but he did not then identify the anticipated investments or collaborations.

Abu Dhabi launched MGX in March as a new technology investment firm with Mubadala and G42 as founding partners to speed up the development of AI and sophisticated technologies.

France has been actively supporting AI growth as well, hoping to improve its AI competence. This breakthrough was emphasized by Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Franck Riester at the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February.

With developing investment and trade relations, commerce between the UAE and France is predicted to rise this year to €7 billion ($7.6 billion). “Both countries want to be an example of fruitful cooperation, making AI a driver of productivity growth, better help for people, and improved life quality,” Le Maire said.

The UAE and France inked a preliminary agreement in February to create the UAE-France Bilateral Climate Investment Platform. Specifically, this platform seeks to assist French and Emirati investors in renewable energy projects by decarbonizing difficult-to-abate sectors.