In a move that signals a major shift in global technology diplomacy, the US Commerce Department has authorised the export of advanced American semiconductor chips to state-linked AI firms in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This breakthrough reflects deepening ties between Washington and Gulf tech powerhouses.
Announced in November 2025 but gaining fresh attention in early 2026, the decision allows UAE’s G42 and Saudi Arabia’s Humain to purchase up to 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell-class chips each. These processors are among the most powerful that are currently available for artificial intelligence applications.
