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UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon discusses AI, tech with Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk in US

His meetings came after UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed met earlier this week with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

 This combination of file photos created July 15, 2020, shows Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2020, and Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos in Washington, DC, Oct. 22, 2019.
This combination of file photos created July 15, 2020, shows Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2020, and Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos in Washington, DC, Oct. 22, 2019. — BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates' national security advisor, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, met with tech business leaders Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos in the United States on Thursday to discuss artificial intelligence and technology.

The deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and influential brother of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Sheikh Tahnoon traveled to the Tesla Giga Factory in Texas to speak with Musk, the billionaire owner of various businesses, including the social media platform X and the astronautics company SpaceX. Musk also founded Tesla, the electric car manufacturer.

“Today, we engaged in discussions with @elonmusk on the latest developments in advanced technology and AI, focusing on strategies to strengthen collaborative efforts,” Sheikh Tahnoon posted on X. “Our shared ambition and vision will help to optimize resources and unlock unique opportunities presented by modern technologies. By leveraging these innovations and accelerating their adoption, we can achieve significant advancements in quality of life for all.”

The senior UAE royal is considered the gatekeeper for major international business deals and partnerships involving Emirati companies. He chairs the UAE’s largest AI outfit, G42, and heads the Emirati sovereign wealth fund, ADQ, as well as First Abu Dhabi Bank, the country’s largest lender. Sheikh Tahnoon has made several visits to the United State in recent years to strengthen business and technology ties. 

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