The UAE and US hold talks to deepen closer ties on AI, quantum and space

The UAE and the US are expanding cooperation across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space and quantum computing as the Gulf state moves ahead with a $1.4 trillion investment commitment in the U.S.

The latest development follows three days of meetings in Washington, where a high-level UAE delegation met officials from the State Department, Commerce Department and White House to discuss advanced technology and export policy.

The discussions included advancements spanning  AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, space and export policy. The talks also build on the UAE’s A:5 export-control designation, which streamlines technology trade between the countries and facilitates secure access for approved UAE entities.

According to an official statement, the UAE became the first Arab country to receive the A:5 designation, which is intended to streamline technology trade and facilitate secure access to US technology for approved UAE entities.

“The UAE-US partnership is built on more than five decades of trust across the most sensitive sectors — defense, intelligence and nuclear energy,” said Omran Sharaf, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology Affairs, who led the delegation.

“That same standard defines our approach to AI and advanced technology. Our investment, our infrastructure and our institutions are built around this partnership, and this week’s conversations reflect exactly that commitment.”

Sharaf was joined by Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cybersecurity for the UAE government, as well as representatives from the Advanced Technology Research Council, UAE Space Agency and Space42.

The delegation also met senior US officials responsible for economic affairs, cybersecurity, space commerce, science and technology policy and international trade.

The Washington meetings come as the two countries move ahead with a 10-year investment framework announced in March 2025, under which the UAE committed to invest $1.4 trillion in the US economy across sectors including AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy and manufacturing.

The delegation also held meetings with US business leaders and policy institutions. Sharaf met Niccolo De Masi, chairman and CEO of quantum computing company IonQ; Jason Oxman, president and CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council; and Christopher Mohr, president of the Software and Information Industry Association.

He also met representatives from the Hudson Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The meetings build on broader UAE-US ties spanning technology, space, research and development, energy and security.