Nvidia Expands Its Presence in the Middle East by Launching the Region’s First Artificial Intelligence Center
American tech giant Nvidia has formed a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi-based Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to establish the region’s first dedicated research laboratory focusing on cutting-edge artificial intelligence and robotics.
This initiative marks a significant step in Nvidia’s regional expansion, aimed at fostering innovation and advancing scientific research with global implications.
The new center will integrate the interdisciplinary research efforts of TII with Nvidia’s powerful computing infrastructure, which underpins modern AI technologies.
According to TII CEO Nadjwa Araj, the facility will utilize Nvidia’s latest graphical processing units, particularly the advanced Thor chips, enabling the development of sophisticated robotic systems such as humanoids, quadruped robots, and robotic manipulators for automation purposes.
This opens new horizons for robotics development capable of serving various sectors—from industry to healthcare.
This collaboration forms part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy and efforts to establish a leading position in artificial intelligence.
The partnership aims to leverage Nvidia’s advanced hardware to accelerate research and develop innovative AI solutions.
Historically, the UAE has invested heavily in digital infrastructure, including a multi-billion-dollar agreement signed during President Donald Trump’s visit to the Persian Gulf in 2019 to build one of the world’s largest data centers in Abu Dhabi, utilizing American technologies including Nvidia’s chips.
However, security concerns related to the UAE’s close ties with China have complicated the full rollout of some projects.
According to Araj, TII has already begun using Nvidia processors for training language models, with discussions about establishing the joint laboratory starting around a year ago.
The facility will bring together teams from both sides and will involve recruiting new personnel tailored for this ambitious undertaking.
Recently, Nvidia invested $5 billion in Intel to co-develop products for data centers and personal computers, further strengthening the technological alliance.