G42, the AI firm based in the United Arab Emirates, said it would partner with US chipmaker Nvidia in a move intended at better understanding means to address climate change.
The two will heighten the accuracy of global weather forecasting as there is an operational base and a climate tech lab set to be established in Abu Dhabi.
Now, at a time when the world is facing increasingly significant climate challenges, this partnership could not have come at a better time.
"Harnessing the power of AI, we're going to revolutionize how we understand and respond to climate dynamics," a G42 spokesperson said. The initiative underlines both the commitment of the UAE to innovation and its position as a leader in the global climate-tech arena.
Beyond the broad efforts to diversify its economy away from oil dependency, the UAE government has been investing heavily in AI. In 2021, Microsoft committed to an investment of US$1.5 billion to G42, while two new centers are to be established in Abu Dhabi. Such developments seem to forecast a good future trajectory for the UAE technology sector-the sector promises job creation and technological advancement.
Yet despite the progress, Washington does worry about the UAE, or for that matter the other countries in the Middle East region, acting as conduits to the Chinese by US AI technology. Last year, the US even relaxed new curbs on AI chip exports where it termed specific countries as "licensing required". Such is the geopolitical backdrop that makes the partnership so intricate. As much as innovation was at play, international politics was.
Discussions will focus on regional security and collaboration in advanced technology sectors, including AI, to coincide with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to Washington to meet President Joe Biden. Diplomatic adviser to the UAE president Anwar Gargash said "This partnership is a testament to our strategic relationship with the US and our commitment to economic collaboration."
The G42-Nvidia deal could prove a revolutionary advancement in climate technology, what with all these innovations to solve climate issues coming together.