UAE partners with Nvidia on AI push
Nvidia is expanding in the Middle East with a new AI and robotics lab in Abu Dhabi, as Gulf states look to the US chipmaker to drive their tech ambitions amid US-China tensions.
Welcome back to Al-Monitor FutureVerse.
The Middle East is emerging as a key outpost for Nvidia as it navigates US-China tech tensions, with this week providing further insight into the chip giant’s regional strategy. Plus, this edition examines Israel’s tech export growth, Saudi-Syria telehealth links, AI diplomacy, a wave of new deals, and more.
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TOP STORY
The Nvidia logo is displayed on a building at the Nvidia headquarters on Aug. 27, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. — Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Nvidia’s Middle East moves
On the same day that Nvidia announced a $100 billion investment into ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI, the US chipmaker also made a move to cement itself as the Middle East’s go-to AI partner.
On Sept. 22, Nvidia teamed up with Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to launch a joint AI and robotics research lab in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The TII, the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi government’s Advanced Technology Research Council, said in a statement that the new lab would be a “first-of-its-kind hub in the region for developing next-generation AI models, robotics platforms and humanoid technologies that will accelerate innovation across industries.”
While less flashy than a $100 billion investment, the move is still important, as it further aligns the UAE’s AI push with the US tech giant’s global strategy. The partnership underscores how Gulf states, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, see Nvidia as key to their ambitions to become AI leaders.
Of course, this Nvidia-TII lab emerges after US President Donald Trump’s Gulf visit in May, which saw the UAE ink a multibillion-dollar pact involving Nvidia’s most advanced chips — although security concerns related to China have reportedly delayed the deal’s completion.
Nvidia’s Middle East footprint is also expanding outside of Abu Dhabi. In July, news surfaced that the chipmaker is weighing offers for a multibillion-dollar campus in Israel. Together, these moves show Nvidia is betting heavily on the Middle East, even as some obstacles could still complicate regional plans.
CLICKABLE
Low poly abstract trinagles and hexagons soccer ball isolated on dark blue background. (Getty Images)
Famed stock investor Cathie Wood and Emirati counterparts are pouring hundreds of millions into a publicly traded football business that will begin buying cryptocurrency tokens.
Amid efforts to strengthen health-care collaboration, the two countries have launched a “digital link” between the Saudi Seha Virtual Hospital and the Syrian Ministry of Health.
Iran’s high-tech crackdown on women
Three years after the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests began, women in Iran continue to resist an increasingly sophisticated surveillance apparatus.
Private equity to power Saudi AI?
US private equity behemoths Blackstone and BlackRock are vying to invest billions with Saudi Arabia’s new AI company Humain.
The Gulf’s largest economy could experience more startup failures and distressed companies as the kingdom enters a phase of maturity and market correction, a leading venture capital investor warns.
War strains Israel’s high-tech economy
Israel’s economy and businesses are bracing for further strain due to the war in the Gaza Strip, with repeated army call-ups forcing business leaders to make do with fewer workers.
DEALFLOW
Digital generated image of data forming fingerprint icons on black background. (Getty Images)
- Venture capital firm Glilot Capital (Israel) secures $500 million to invest in Israeli AI and cybersecurity startups.
- AI security firm Irregular (Israel) raises $80 million.
- AI cybersecurity company Vega (Israel) secures $65 million.
- Debt crowdfunding platform Lendo (Saudi Arabia) signs $50 million financing deal.
- Fintech startup Erad (Saudi Arabia) raises $33 million in debt financing.
- Fintech startup Bwatech (Saudi Arabia) announces $16 million round.
- Software testing startup MetalBear (Israel) raises $12.5 million.
- Data security startup Ray Security (Israel) nabs $11 million seed round.
- Cybersecurity startup Fabrix Security (Israel) raises $8 million.
- AI sensor tool developer Feelit Technologies (Israel) secures $8.3 million.
- Tech company Rihal (Oman) raises $7.5 million investment.
- Online banking infrastructure startup Spare (Saudi Arabia) announces $5 million funding round.
- AI investor MGX (UAE) joins private equity firm Silver Lake in a 51% acquisition of Intel’s Altera, which makes programmable chips.
DATA DISCOVERY
Israel Innovation Authority has published an annual report exploring the state of the country’s tech sector, which revealed that high-tech output accounted for roughly 17.3% of Israel’s gross domestic product in 2024 — a similar share as the year prior. Meanwhile, high-tech exports from Israel continue growing, particularly in the software sector.
ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE
Elon Musk waves as he arrives for a state dinner at the Lusail Palace on May 14, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
👀 Deal drama? Elon Musk refutes reports that his AI startup xAI reportedly raised over $10 billion from investors including Qatar Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.
🛒 E-commerce insights: Keeta, the international subsidiary of China’s on-demand delivery giant Meituan, has officially launched in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Amazon has opened its first fulfillment center in Abu Dhabi.
📺 Watch: How Gulf AI investments have become a new form of diplomacy.
🇨🇳 China is boosting Saudi Arabia’s EV industry: Foxconn will soon start building a factory to make electric vehicle chargers in the kingdom, while Chinese EV maker Chery is exploring setting up an aluminium smelter in the country.
🔜 Uber is betting on Israel’s Flytrex to unlock growth in the drone delivery sector.
🇦🇪 The UAE has launched a new national campaign aimed at promoting the Gulf state as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
😬Are companies in the Middle East letting down staff on AI readiness?
🇮🇶 Iraq is joining the Gulf’s data center boom via an agreement with tech giant Nokia.
💸 Money moves: Venture debt firm Stride Ventures plans to deploy $200 million in Saudi Arabia.
🇪🇬 Egyptian fintech company MNT-Halan is looking to expand credit access for small businesses and individuals in the UAE.