UAE-France AI Partnership Developing Talent, Creating Chips, Investment Flourishes

23 May, 2024

UAE-France AI Partnership Developing Talent, Creating Chips, Investment Flourishes

The UAE and France have embarked on a groundbreaking artificial intelligence investment partnership, marking a significant stride in the Emirates' technological advancement. This collaboration, aimed at fostering talent development and semiconductor innovation, promises to bolster both nations' AI ecosystems across vital sectors, as outlined by the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The formalization of this partnership was marked by a preliminary agreement between the Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council and France's Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Key figures including Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Bruno Le Maire spearheaded the signing, signaling a commitment to joint endeavors in infrastructure, AI training, and startup investments.

A central focus lies on facilitating skill development, with plans to utilize the Abu Dhabi campus of France's Sorbonne University. Moreover, the partnership will encompass the development and production of AI-centric chips, leveraging Mubadala's access to technology through its stake in GlobalFoundries.

With the UAE aspiring to be a global AI hub, strategic collaborations with Western technology giants, such as the recent Microsoft deal, underscore its commitment to future-proofing its economy. Meanwhile, France's efforts to enhance its AI expertise align with its ambition to deepen economic ties with the UAE, with trade between the two nations reaching significant milestones.

Both parties envision this partnership as a model for fruitful cooperation, aiming to harness AI for enhanced productivity, societal benefits, and sustainable growth. This initiative follows in the footsteps of previous collaborations, such as the establishment of the UAE-France Bilateral Climate Investment Platform, highlighting a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability on the global stage.