UAE artificial intelligence company G42 and US technology firm Cisco have signed an initial agreement on Tuesday to explore AI infrastructure development across the public and private sectors just days ahead of US President Donald Trump's arrival in the Emirates.
They did not disclose the value of investments involved in the partnership. The deal will also include studying the co-development of AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, according to a statement from the two companies.
The agreement, signed by G42 group chief executive Peng Xiao and Cisco chief executive Chuck Robbins, was presented to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
The G42-Cisco agreement comes amid Mr Trump's visit to the Middle East, during which technology-heavy deals, among others, are expected.
The agreement “reflects our shared interest in exploring how AI infrastructure and innovation can be scaled responsibly and securely across markets”, Mr Xiao said in a statement.
It is also in line with G42's strategy of expanding internationally, “identifying areas where our combined capabilities can support governments, enterprises and communities in harnessing the full potential of AI”, he added.
The UAE announced earlier this year that it would invest up to $1.4 trillion in the US over 10 years, and some details may emerge as a result of Mr Trump's visit, said Edward Bell, chief economist of Emirates NBD, Dubai's largest bank.
"There may also be deals around access to advanced semiconductors that will help the UAE achieve its AI ambitions," he told The National.
G42 has been at the forefront of the UAE’s AI growth strategy. In 2023, the company unveiled a new entity, Core42, that merged three of its key units – G42 Cloud, its research and development arm Inception, and ICT unit Injazat – to focus on delivering AI solutions and services on a national scale.
At the Gitex Global technology summit that year, G42 also announced a partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, focusing on using its models in verticals where G42 operates, including financial services, energy, health care and public services.
More major partnerships with AI bellwethers were announced last year. In April, G42 received a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft, which will help to further boost the company's global expansion plans and strengthen the UAE's position as a global technology hub.
In September, G42 partnered with global chip maker Nvidia to develop AI solutions aimed at enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasting globally, driving advanced climate solutions through Nvidia’s Earth-2 platform that can make climate and weather predictions with interactive, AI-augmented, high-resolution simulation.
G42's moves are also in line with the UAE’s aim to become a global AI leader, continuing to tap into new-age technologies. The Emirates has attracted interest for its potential to become a global AI hub and has pivoted towards partnerships with technology majors from the West.
Last week, G42 was reported to be planning an expansion into the US, as the UAE continues to invest heavily in AI projects. Quoting corporate filings, the Financial Times reported on May 4 that G42 has established a US company to help boost its presence in the country.
This follows a March meeting between Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, Mr Xiao and Meta Platforms founder Mark Zuckerberg. It came after Sheikh Tahnoon’s recent meetings with US tech leaders Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang and Satya Nadella, as well as high-ranking US officials from the current administration.
California-based Cisco, which provides network gear and technology services, is among a slew of major companies in the industry that have established a strong network in the UAE, alongside Microsoft and Google.
G42 and Cisco will focus on the areas in which AI holds significant potential.
“This collaboration aims to help customers build and secure AI-ready data centres and develop AI workloads effectively,” the statement said.
“AI is fundamentally changing our world, and to truly unlock its potential, we need to build a strong global ecosystem,” Mr Robbins said.
US Industrial Market figures, Q1 2017
Vacancy Rate 5.4%
Markets With Positive Absorption 85.7 per cent
New Supply 55 million sq ft
New Supply to Inventory 0.4 per cent
Under Construction 198.2 million sq ft
(Source: Colliers)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In the Restaurant: Society in Four Courses
Christoph Ribbat
Translated by Jamie Searle Romanelli
Pushkin Press
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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Naked short
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Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
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Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
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Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
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Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
