UPDATE — AUGUST 2025: Since U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed first announced plans for an AI cooperation agreement in September 2024, the partnership has moved from vision to implementation. The government-to-government MOU was formally signed in January 2025, creating joint working groups on AI safety, cybersecurity, clean energy infrastructure, and workforce development. By March, the two nations had launched a Joint AI Council, linking the U.S. Department of Commerce and NIST with the UAE’s Office of AI to align regulatory approaches and develop shared standards for safety testing and bias mitigation.
The UAE has since adopted portions of the U.S. NIST AI Risk Management Framework for its national deployments, and both governments conducted cybersecurity drills to test AI resilience in energy and healthcare systems. Energy has been another focal point: under their Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), the UAE committed $500 million to renewable-powered data centers in May 2025, with U.S. companies providing AI systems to pair with solar and hydrogen projects. Investment has accelerated, with firms like Microsoft and Palantir expanding in the UAE, and Mubadala co-investing in U.S. AI startups.
On the workforce front, mid-2025 saw the launch of AI scholar exchanges and bootcamps between NYU Abu Dhabi, MIT, and Stanford, alongside policy workshops for regulators. Internationally, the U.S. and UAE have coordinated closely at the OECD and GPAI, promoting shared principles of trustworthy AI, explainability, and equitable access for developing economies.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
United States and United Arab Emirates Strengthen Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence
The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in a responsible and trustworthy manner. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the development of a government-to-government memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen cooperation in AI and related technologies.
This initiative follows the vision set by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who emphasized the importance of AI in driving economic growth, transforming education and healthcare, and fostering environmental sustainability. At the same time, they recognized the need for strong safeguards to address the risks posed by AI.
The collaboration between the U.S. and the UAE centers on several key principles aimed at fostering safe, secure, and ethical AI development. The two nations highlighted the potential of AI to create jobs and enhance national security while acknowledging the importance of ethical standards and international cooperation.
Both countries are committed to promoting international AI frameworks that ensure responsible AI development. This includes ensuring AI technologies are explainable, equitable, and aligned with human rights and international norms.
To boost innovation while protecting national security, the U.S. and UAE will work together to align their regulatory frameworks for AI and related technologies. This alignment will foster a more secure environment for investments and cross-border AI advancements.
The U.S. and UAE emphasized the importance of addressing bias, discrimination, and fairness in AI. They plan to prioritize ethical AI research that tackles these challenges and ensures the responsible use of AI in different sectors.
The partnership will also focus on enhancing cybersecurity in AI systems. The two nations will promote strategies that ensure critical infrastructure is resilient and secure from cyberattacks, while managing risks associated with emerging technologies.
In addition to regulatory alignment, the U.S. and UAE plan to facilitate bilateral trade and investment in AI infrastructure. This includes streamlining licensing processes to encourage trusted trade between the two countries, which will accelerate the development of robust AI systems.
Both nations recognize the importance of talent development in AI. They plan to collaborate on training programs and workshops that will bring together AI researchers, engineers, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and expertise.
With AI systems demanding significant energy resources, the U.S. and UAE will build on their existing Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE). This collaboration aims to meet AI’s energy needs with clean, sustainable energy sources, reinforcing both countries’ commitment to combating climate change.
The U.S. and UAE also plan to leverage AI to support sustainable development across the Middle East and North Africa. This initiative aims to close the digital divide and use AI to address global challenges, with a focus on building AI infrastructure in developing countries.
Need Help?
If you have questions or concerns about global AI guidelines, regulations and laws, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight, and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
