UAE officials continued their discussions with White House officials and business executives on Wednesday as Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, held talks with Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk.
“I discussed with Elon Musk the importance of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in developing more agile and responsive government systems that prioritise innovation in service delivery,” Sheikh Tahnoon wrote on social media.
“We also explored avenues for collaboration in key sectors where AI and advanced technology can play a transformative role, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in digital innovation."
In a photo posted on X, Sheikh Tahnoon can be seen with G42's group chief executive Peng Xiao, talking to Mr Musk on a video monitor.
Sheikh Tahnoon followed his conversation with Mr Musk with a meeting in Washington with US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. In a post on X on Thursday, he said the two discussed AI, energy, infrastructure and joint investment co-operation. "We also discussed efforts to consolidate the foundations of regional and global security and stability," Sheikh Tahnoon added.
On Monday, Sheikh Tahnoon met US President Donald Trump and the two discussed efforts to strengthen co-operation on the economy and technology between the US and the UAE.
Mr Musk has taken a central role in shaping the policies of the Trump administration. At the World Governments Summit in Dubai last month, Mr Musk announced that his Boring Company had signed an initial deal to bring an underground road system, the Dubai Loop, to the UAE.
“Once people try it out they're going to say: 'Wow, it's really cool.' It's going to seem so obvious in retrospect,” Mr Musk said at the time.
During the visit by UAE officials, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Yousef Al Otaiba, Minister of State and UAE ambassador to the US, met US Vice President JD Vance.
During a speech at the American Dynamism Summit in Washington on Tuesday, Mr Vance reflected on the UAE's White House visit and spoke of the country's affinity for AI.
“We’re thrilled to have our friends from the United Arab Emirates, a number of the business leaders and government leaders, in town this week for meetings with our government,” he said.
“One of the things [the UAE] consistently hammer upon – it’s something that unfortunately too few of our European allies tend to get – is that, if you want to lead in artificial intelligence, you have got to be leading in energy production.”
On Tuesday, Sheikh Tahnoon also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Microchips were a major topic raised with Trump administration officials during the UAE visit. In the final days of the Biden administration, policies were announced that made it more difficult for countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India to buy powerful chips and graphics processing units needed for AI.
Both Nvidia and Microsoft have spoken out against that policy, which they say hinders AI development in countries that have made significant investments and strides in that field. It is not yet clear whether the Trump administration will reverse the chip export policies.
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
Section 375
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat
Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL
Rating: 3.5/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
