Microsoft Sends 60,000 Nvidia AI Chips to UAE Under US Deal

Published Date : 03/11/2025 

Microsoft has announced it will ship over 60,000 of Nvidia's most advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates, part of a deal approved by the U.S. Commerce Department. 

Microsoft has announced it will ship Nvidia's advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates as part of a deal approved by the U.S. Commerce Department. The Redmond, Washington software giant said licenses approved in September under “stringent” safeguards enable it to ship more than 60,000 Nvidia chips, including the California chipmaker's advanced GB300 Grace Blackwell chips, for use in data centers in the Middle Eastern country.

The agreement appeared to contradict President Donald Trump's remarks in a “60 Minutes” interview aired Sunday that such chips would not be exported outside the U.S. When asked by CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell if he will allow Nvidia to sell its most advanced chips to China, Trump said he wouldn’t.

“We will let them deal with Nvidia but not in terms of the most advanced,” Trump said. “The most advanced, we will not let anybody have them other than the United States.”

The UAE’s ability to access these chips is tied to its pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in U.S. energy and AI-related projects, an outsized sum given its annual GDP is roughly $540 billion. The UAE ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Al Otaiba, said in a statement earlier this year that the arrangement was “setting a new ‘Gold Standard’ for securing AI models, chips, data, and access.”

Microsoft's announcement Monday was part of the company's planned $15.2 billion investment in technology in the UAE, which it says has some of the highest per-capita usage of AI. Microsoft had already accumulated more than 21,000 of Nvidia's graphics processor chips, known as GPUs, through licenses approved under then-President Joe Biden.

“We’re using these GPUs to provide access to advanced AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source providers, and Microsoft itself,” said a company statement. This move is expected to significantly boost the UAE's AI capabilities and further solidify its position as a leader in the region’s technology landscape. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the significance of Microsoft shipping Nvidia's AI chips to the UAE?

A: The shipment of Nvidia's advanced AI chips to the UAE is significant because it enhances the UAE's AI capabilities and demonstrates the country's commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology. This move is part of a larger $1.4 trillion investment in U.S. energy and AI-related projects.

Q: How many Nvidia AI chips is Microsoft shipping to the UAE?

A: Microsoft is shipping more than 60,000 Nvidia AI chips, including the advanced GB300 Grace Blackwell chips, to the UAE.

Q: What are the 'stringent' safeguards mentioned in the deal?

A: The 'stringent' safeguards are part of the U.S. Commerce Department's approval process to ensure that the advanced AI chips are used responsibly and securely. These safeguards are designed to prevent the misuse of the technology and protect against unauthorized access.

Q: How does this deal affect the U.S.-UAE relationship?

A: This deal strengthens the U.S.-UAE relationship by fostering technological collaboration and economic investment. The UAE's commitment to investing $1.4 trillion in U.S. energy and AI projects underscores the strategic importance of this partnership.

Q: What is Microsoft's planned investment in the UAE?

A: Microsoft plans to invest $15.2 billion in technology in the UAE. This investment includes the use of advanced AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source providers, and Microsoft itself, further enhancing the UAE's technological infrastructure. 

More Related Topics :