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US set to approve first advanced AI chip sales to Saudi Arabia’s Humain

Ana Mary Joseph
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US set to approve first advanced AI chip sales to Saudi Arabia’s Humain
  • Should the deal move forward, it stands to benefit global semiconductor giants including Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), which have sought greater access to the fast-growing Middle East AI market?
  • Humain is targeting deployment of up to 400,000 AI chips by 2030, with an expected short-term spend of around $50b on semiconductors.

    The United States is poised to authorise the first sales of advanced artificial intelligence chips to the Saudi AI company Humain, in what would mark a significant win for the state-backed venture and a milestone in US–Saudi technology cooperation.

The approvals are expected as part of a broader AI collaboration agreement between Washington and Riyadh, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

The deal, potentially finalised this week, comes as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday to advance the partnership.

President Trump confirmed the ongoing negotiations, telling reporters in the Oval Office, “We are working on that,” and noted the agreement would involve “certain levels of chips.” Market sources estimate the initial approvals may amount to tens of thousands of semiconductors, although official figures have not been disclosed.

Security concerns

US authorities have closely monitored semiconductor exports to Saudi Arabia since 2023 amid global concerns over AI hardware ending up in China.

The proposed arrangement includes explicit security conditions and follows assurances from Riyadh that it would restrict AI chip dealings with Beijing—with the head of the Saudi AI investment fund publicly committing to divest from China if asked by the US.

Humain CEO Tareq Amin stated the company had pledged not to procure hardware from Huawei Technologies, China’s AI leader, to meet US requirements.

Should the deal move forward, it stands to benefit global semiconductor giants including Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), which have sought greater access to the fast-growing Middle East AI market. Humain is targeting deployment of up to 400,000 AI chips by 2030, with an expected short-term spend of around $50 billion on semiconductors, according to the crown prince.
Humain, whose board is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed, represents a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion push into artificial intelligence. Launched earlier this year at Trump’s visit to the kingdom, Humain has rapidly emerged as a focal point for Saudi ambitions to become a global AI powerhouse.

In October, energy major Saudi Aramco signed a nonbinding term sheet for a significant minority stake in the venture.

Geopolitical rivals

The company is building toward 6.6 gigawatts of computing power—approaching the scale of OpenAI’s Stargate infrastructure in the US—and has introduced products such as an Arabic-language chatbot and a proprietary operating system. Humain’s pitch to global partners emphasises the cost advantages of Saudi Arabia’s abundant, inexpensive energy to power massive data centres.

Since 2022, the US has imposed strict export curbs to prevent sensitive AI technology from reaching China, extending these controls in 2023 to countries deemed possible conduits for Beijing.

The new US–Saudi deal is interpreted as a signal to both domestic industry and geopolitical rivals that Washington remains committed to championing American technology partnerships in the Middle East, following months of negotiation and assurances from the Saudi side.

Further details, including the final volume of approved exports and the specific terms attached to security and re-export restrictions, have not been made public.

“AI is critical for us to keep the Saudi economy growing,” Crown Prince Mohammed said at the White House. The kingdom is investing heavily to meet soaring demand for computing power, seeking to secure its place at the forefront of global AI development.

UAE and Bahrain sign deal to deepen anti-money laundering

TCN Bureau
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UAE and Bahrain sign deal to deepen anti-money laundering
  • Both nations will expand collaboration across policy, supervision, and enforcement—sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices, as well as developing joint training and awareness initiatives.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have formalised a new agreement to enhance their cooperation in fighting financial crime, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 41st Plenary Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).

The MoU was signed between Hamid AlZaabi, Secretary-General and Vice Chair of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Proliferation Committee (NAMLCFTPFC), and Sheikha May bint Mohamed Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of The Financial Intelligence National Center and Chair of the Bahrain AML/CFT Committee.

“This agreement reflects the shared vision of the UAE and Bahrain to build a more coordinated, resilient, and effective regional response to financial crime,” said AlZaabi.

With the UAE and Bahrain set to jointly preside over MENAFATF in 2026, he noted that the partnership will be instrumental in advancing the region’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) goals.

Upholding transparency and integrity

Sheikha May bint Mohammed Al Khalifa underscored the significance of the accord, emphasising the value of a robust, formal framework for communication and coordination in upholding transparency and integrity: “We believe that this step will reinforce our joint cooperation and enhance our ability to address these challenges more effectively.”

Under the MoU, the UAE and Bahrain will expand collaboration across policy, supervision, and enforcement—sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices, as well as developing joint training and awareness initiatives. The agreement also outlines mechanisms for the two nations to jointly develop regulatory and risk-based supervisory tools aligned with FATF standards.

Key provisions include the regular exchange of case studies on cross-border financial crime, collaborative research projects, and the creation of joint task forces to address emerging risks and enhance resilience against illicit financial flows. Both committees have also committed to periodic consultations to monitor the agreement’s implementation and to foster ongoing opportunities for cooperation.

The move comes as both nations prepare to lead MENAFATF and support its third round of mutual evaluations, signaling their intent to cement a more unified and robust framework against regional and international financial crime.

Need of the hour is unified Federal AI regulation, Trump says

Mohammed Fahad
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Need of the hour is unified Federal AI regulation, Trump says
  • President urges lawmakers to ensure the establishment of a federal standard either by passing standalone legislation or incorporating the measure into the National Defense Authorisation Act.
  • Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has made outpacing China in AI a cornerstone of his technology policy.

President Donald Trump called for a nationwide federal standard to regulate artificial intelligence, cautioning that disparate state-level rules could stifle growth and jeopardise the US lead in the global AI competition.

“Overregulation by the States is threatening to undermine this Growth Engine,” Trump posted on social media, emphasising that a patchwork of 50 different state regulatory regimes would disadvantage American innovators.

“We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes,” Trump declared, asserting that the absence of unified rules could offer China an opening to surpass the US in AI capabilities.

Transforming US

Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has made outpacing China in AI a cornerstone of his technology policy. Early in his administration, he mandated the development of an AI Action Plan aimed at transforming the US into the “world capital in artificial intelligence,” while also seeking to streamline regulatory barriers to the sector’s expansion.

The rapid rise of AI has raised broad societal concerns—including the risk of election interference, fraud, and employment disruption—with policymakers debating the balance between innovation and security. Trump’s latest comments reflect worries across the business and technology sectors that fragmented regulation could hinder both investment and deployment.

The president urged lawmakers to ensure the establishment of a federal standard either by passing standalone legislation or incorporating the measure into the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), the annual defense policy bill. “Put it in the NDAA, or pass a separate Bill, and nobody will ever be able to compete with America,” Trump said.

Trump did not elaborate on what specific elements his proposed federal standard would contain.

Google brings enhanced AI capabilities to search engine with Gemini 3

Ana Mary Joseph
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Google brings enhanced AI capabilities to search engine with Gemini 3
  • Paying subscribers to Google’s premium AI plan will gain immediate access to Gemini 3’s advanced search features, enabling complex, computer-generated responses to nuanced queries.
  • Gemini app has also been redesigned to present answers in immersive, web-like formats, offering richer visual and interactive elements.

Alphabet Inc.’s Google launched Gemini 3, the latest iteration of its artificial intelligence model, marking a significant upgrade that will immediately power high-revenue products such as its flagship search engine.

The move underscores Google’s bid to consolidate its leadership in the fiercely competitive AI race and capitalise on commercialisation trends that have gripped Wall Street this year.

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Gemini 3 arrives just 11 months after its predecessor, consolidating Google’s reputation for rapid AI development. At a press briefing, executives noted the model’s top-ranking positions on several industry benchmarks.

Still, in the current market, performance metrics are increasingly overshadowed by the ability to embed AI directly into applications that generate substantial new revenue streams.

Gemini Agent

CEO Sundar Pichai described Gemini 3 as “our most intelligent model,” noting in a company blog post that the release represented the first time Google’s search engine had deployed a new AI model on launch day. Previously, integration of advanced AI into Google’s most popular services had lagged behind new releases.

Koray Kavukcuoglu, Google’s chief AI architect, highlighted the accelerated rollout, saying, “Gemini has set quite a new pace…getting it to people faster than ever before.” Unlike earlier AI launches, Gemini 3 now directly underpins consumer and enterprise products designed to drive growth.

Key updates include the debut of “Gemini Agent,” capable of handling multi-step tasks such as managing emails or booking travel. This feature advances Google’s vision of a universal assistant, internally referred to as AlphaAssist.

Notably, paying subscribers to Google’s premium AI plan will gain immediate access to Gemini 3’s advanced search features, enabling complex, computer-generated responses to nuanced queries.

The Gemini app has also been redesigned to present answers in immersive, web-like formats, offering richer visual and interactive elements.

For example, users can now request a “Van Gogh gallery with life context for each piece,” prompting Gemini to generate an interactive gallery interface—a development that may compound challenges for online publishers dependent on web traffic for ad revenue.

Analysts note AI model advancements from industry leaders like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic have become harder to differentiate, gaining the spotlight mainly when issues arise. Nevertheless, Alphabet’s share price has benefited this year from the financial success of AI-powered offerings, particularly within its cloud computing division.

Microsoft and Nvidia forge multi-billion dollar alliance with Anthropic

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Microsoft and Nvidia forge multi-billion dollar alliance with Anthropic
  • Anthropic will use Azure infrastructure and Microsoft will use their models to expand go-to-market initiatives together.
  • Anthropic and Nvidia will collaborate on specialised AI chips and models.

Microsoft and Nvidia announced a substantial new investment collaboration with Anthropic, the AI start-up behind Claude, as part of a deal that will see Anthropic commit a landmark $30 billion to Microsoft’s Azure cloud services.

The partnership deepens ties among some of the most influential players in artificial intelligence, reflecting the industry’s skyrocketing demand for computing power and strategic alliances.

According to company statements, Nvidia is set to invest up to $10 billion in Anthropic, while Microsoft’s contribution could total as much as $5 billion. While specific terms remain under wraps, sources indicate these commitments are tied to Anthropic’s upcoming funding round.

“This partnership signals a pivotal shift in the AI ecosystem,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in a video address.

“We’re increasingly going to be customers of each other—Anthropic will use our infrastructure, and we will use their models as we expand go-to-market initiatives together.” Nadella emphasised Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to OpenAI, referring to it as a “critical partner.”

A formidable contender

The announcement comes on the heels of sweeping changes at OpenAI and a significant $38 billion cloud services agreement between the ChatGPT maker and Amazon.com, as AI market leaders seek enhanced operational autonomy and scale. OpenAI recently disclosed plans to invest $1.4 trillion into expanding its compute capabilities, aiming for 30 gigawatts in infrastructure.

With its latest moves, Anthropic—founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees and now valued at $183 billion—continues to position itself as a formidable contender.

The company anticipates its revenue run rate could soar to $28 billion—next year, with over 300,000 business clients already on board.

As part of the multi-faceted deal, Anthropic and Nvidia will collaborate on specialised AI chips and models. Anthropic has agreed to utilise up to 1 gigawatt of Nvidia’s high-performance hardware, a capacity valued in the range of $20–$25 billion according to industry experts.

Notably, the deal will allow Microsoft’s Azure AI Foundry clients access to Claude, Anthropic’s impressive AI model, making it the only “frontier” AI model available across the world’s three largest cloud platforms. Despite these moves, Amazon will remain Anthropic’s primary cloud provider and training partner.

Will the AI bubble burst?

Many industry predict that the AI bubble is likely to burst and at last week’s Cerebral Valley Summit in San Francisco, more than 300 AI founders and investors named Perplexity as the billion-dollar startup most likely to fail, with industry heavyweight OpenAI coming in a close second.

Perhaps most notable at the Summit was the shifting investor sentiment toward Anthropic, which attendees named the top pick for future investment over OpenAI.

Despite a consensus that OpenAI will likely lead next year’s global LMArena leaderboard for advanced AI models, Anthropic’s growth has stolen the spotlight.

Moreover, OpenAI’s conversion challenges remain acute: 95 per cent of ChatGPT’s 800 million users use the service for free. Unlike Anthropic, which aims to break even by 2028, OpenAI is not expected to do so until the decade’s end.

In an interview with the BBC published on Tuesday, Pichai described the ongoing AI investment wave as an “extraordinary moment” but acknowledged “elements of irrationality” reminiscent of the 1990s tech bubble. “I think no company is going to be immune, including us,” Pichai said, when pressed on how Google might weather an industry downturn.

Analysts have increasingly debated whether current AI valuations are sustainable, and Pichai’s comments add momentum to a growing chorus warning of “irrational exuberance” in the sector.

Honeywell, GAL ink three-year deal to streamline UAE military aviation support

TCN Bureau
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Honeywell, GAL ink three-year deal to streamline UAE military aviation support
  • GAL will oversee the entire repair pipeline on behalf of UAE military customers, from selecting optimal Honeywell repair facilities to managing shipping and maintaining end-to-end repair visibility.

Honeywell Aerospace Technologies has signed a three-year strategic agreement with Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) to enhance repair and overhaul services for the United Arab Emirates’ Joint Aviation Command (JAC) and Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD).

Under the terms of the agreement, GAL will assume comprehensive logistics responsibilities, streamlining support for Honeywell’s T55 turboshaft engines and environmental control systems. This collaboration aims to deliver substantial improvements in component shipping efficiency and turnaround times for UAE military operators.

“Through our collaboration with Global Aerospace Logistics, we’re eliminating long wait times and bringing a faster, more efficient repair model to the region,” said Mike Vallillo, vice president, Defence & Space International at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.

“Honeywell is proud to support our global military customers with innovative solutions that keep critical operations running efficiently.”

GAL will oversee the entire repair pipeline on behalf of UAE military customers, from selecting optimal Honeywell repair facilities to managing shipping and maintaining end-to-end repair visibility. The new logistics model is expected to reduce downtime and bolster mission readiness for the nation’s military fleet. Honeywell’s established parts and repair services will continue, now enhanced by this streamlined regional support.

“By leveraging GAL’s extensive end-to-end logistics expertise to manage the entire repair pipeline, we are providing faster turnaround times and unprecedented visibility for critical platform support,” said Abdelrahman AlHammadi, Acting CEO of GAL.

“This agreement will further ensure that the UAE military benefits from the most efficient and reliable localised sustainment models in the region.”

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