The US Commerce Department just authorized something massive for the UAE and Saudi Arabia manufacturers.
Advanced AI semiconductors, 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips worth approximately $1 billion, are now cleared for export to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The approvals went to G42 (a UAE state-run AI company) and Humain (a Saudi government-backed venture). These are the most advanced AI chips available, the same ones powering cutting-edge data centers globally.
G42 is constructing one of the world's largest data center hubs in the UAE, in collaboration with Nvidia, OpenAI, Cisco, Oracle, and SoftBank. First phase, "Stargate UAE" goes online in 2026.
Humain is partnering with Elon Musk's Grok AI to develop data centers in Saudi Arabia, including a 500MW facility.
This isn't just about tech companies. These AI-powered data centers will provide manufacturers across the Gulf with unprecedented access to:
Advanced AI for production optimization
Predictive maintenance systems
Quality control automation
Supply chain analytics
Digital twin capabilities
UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba called it "another milestone," reflecting confidence in Gulf-US collaboration on advanced technology.
The infrastructure being built now will define which manufacturers can compete in Vision 2030 projects.
As Saudi Arabia and the UAE build world-class AI infrastructure, manufacturers who adopt smart factory technologies early will have a competitive advantage for the next decade.
Your competitors in the Gulf will have access to the same AI computing power as Silicon Valley. Will you be ready?