Microsoft Gains US License to Export 60,000 Nvidia AI Chips to UAE, Plans $15.2B Investment

Microsoft has received U.S. government approval under President Donald Trump's administration to export over 60,000 advanced Nvidia AI chips, specifically the GB300 models, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its growing AI infrastructure efforts there. This export license, granted by the Department of Commerce, marks the first such approval during Trump's presidency and is backed by updated technology safeguards. The chips will support AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and others, bolstering the UAE's ambitions to become a major AI hub. Alongside the chip shipment, Microsoft plans to invest $15.2 billion in the UAE by 2030 in data centers, cloud computing, and AI initiatives, including a $1.5 billion equity stake in the AI firm G42. The deal underscores the complex geopolitical considerations surrounding AI technology exports, as Trump simultaneously restricts the sale of advanced AI chips to China due to national security concerns. Despite the strategic partnership, the move has drawn attention to the UAE's close ties with China and its pledge to invest heavily in U.S. energy and AI projects.