UAE, U.S. Forge Energy and AI Partnership Deal
â–Ľ Summary
– UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who is visiting for the ADIPEC 2025 energy conference.
– The leaders discussed strengthening UAE-US relations, focusing on cooperation in energy, artificial intelligence, and innovation for mutual benefit.
– A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to accelerate collaboration in energy and AI, aiming to drive industrial transformation and economic growth.
– The partnership will develop smarter energy systems and enhance high-tech manufacturing to support sustainable growth and economic resilience.
– The agreement includes applying AI in robotics, materials engineering, and automation, along with initiatives for technical collaboration and skills development.
A significant new partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the United States is set to accelerate cooperation in the strategic fields of energy and artificial intelligence. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, is designed to drive industrial transformation, stimulate economic growth, and enhance national economic security for both nations.
The agreement was signed during a meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, where UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the Honourable Doug Burgum, the United States Secretary of the Interior and chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council. Secretary Burgum was in the UAE to take part in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025).
Discussions between the leaders centered on reinforcing the robust UAE-U.S. relationship, with a particular focus on energy, artificial intelligence, and innovation. They explored concrete ways to deepen cooperation to serve their shared strategic interests. The President witnessed the signing of the MoU, which was formalized by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Secretary Burgum for the U.S. side.
Dr. Al Jaber stated that this partnership reflects the leadership’s vision for creating high-impact global alliances in vital sectors. It underscores a mutual dedication to propelling technological advancement and deploying state-of-the-art solutions, building on the countries’ already strong ties in energy and AI. He emphasized that the collaboration is further proof of the UAE’s unwavering commitment to using its energy expertise to build a modern, knowledge-based economy.
He further explained that the two nations are working together to develop smarter and more adaptable energy systems. These systems are intended to handle the increasing demands of the AI era, bolster sustainable growth, and improve both economic resilience and energy security. The partnership will also support the expansion of the high-tech manufacturing sector, fortify supply chains, and create a foundation for a competitive economy prepared for the future, all while advancing the goals of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative.
Secretary Burgum commented that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the U.S. energy sector is actively using artificial intelligence to upgrade its infrastructure, improve energy systems, and ramp up production to satisfy growing demand. He added that the collaboration with the UAE mirrors the strong commitment President Trump showed during his visit to the country earlier this year. Burgum affirmed that this partnership will allow both nations to solidify their global leadership in energy and tech innovation while protecting their long-term economic and national security interests for generations to come.
The scope of the Memorandum of Understanding covers collaboration in several key areas. The primary focus is on enhancing advanced industrial capabilities and integrating future-ready smart manufacturing technologies. This joint effort aims to achieve major progress in industrial processes, production planning, and logistics. The goal is to strengthen long-term competitiveness and resilience by tapping into the potential of artificial intelligence, boosting energy efficiency, managing smart grids, enabling predictive maintenance, and improving energy storage systems.
The agreement also includes applying AI in areas like robotics, materials engineering, and automation. It paves the way for initiatives that encourage technical and research collaboration, knowledge exchange, skills development, and capacity building through specialized leadership and training programs. This MoU is in line with the UAE’s overarching ambition to become a global hub for industry and advanced technology, as outlined in its National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.
The high-level meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, adviser to the UAE President; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, chairman of the Office of Strategic Affairs at the Presidential Court; Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States; and a number of senior officials and members of the visiting delegation.
(Source: Economy Middle East)