Competition Between Saudi Arabia and the UAE Over Artificial Intelligence

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are actively purchasing a large number of high-performance Nvidia chips essential for AI software development. This move is part of the global competition to achieve artificial intelligence, which has also led to a shortage of this in-demand commodity in Silicon Valley. The Gulf countries have publicly expressed their desire to become world leaders in AI and are taking ambitious steps to strengthen their economies. However, there are concerns about the potential misuse of this technology by the 'autocratic leaders' of these oil-rich countries. The UAE was the first country to establish a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in 2017. The Emirati government aims to enhance its global position as a pioneer in these fields while ensuring regulatory frameworks to prevent negative uses of this technology. Human rights defenders and journalists in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are frequent targets of repression by these governments, and the potential misuse of AI technology by these states raises concerns about its possible impacts on the free flow of information in these countries. California is using AI to combat wildfires, and the Hollywood Writers Guild states that major studios have received a 'new proposal' from representatives. An executive order from Joe Biden limits U.S. investment in 'specific technologies' in China, and the White House announces details of the ban on U.S. technology investments in China, increasing concerns among artists about being replaced by 'AI' and the establishment of a special task force at Disney.