Recently, the UAE government intervened and canceled a scheduled meeting between US congressional staff and the UAE artificial intelligence company G42, which aroused strong concern in the US Congress. The move comes as U.S. lawmakers worry that the G42 may transfer sensitive technology to China, exacerbating tensions between the United States and Afghanistan. Congress is particularly concerned about the $1.5 billion investment deal between G42 and Microsoft, fearing that sensitive AI technology may flow to China. This incident not only highlights the complexity of U.S.-China technological competition, but also reveals potential security risks in international cooperation. The U.S. Congress said it would strengthen oversight of the deal and may have an impact on U.S.-Afghanistan diplomatic relations.
Recently, the UAE government intervened in a meeting between US congressional staff and the country’s artificial intelligence company G42, causing the meeting to be cancelled. The move comes amid heightened concerns among U.S. lawmakers that the G42 could transfer sensitive U.S. technology to China. According to a congressional spokesman, the UAE ambassador to the United States personally intervened to prevent staff from the House Select Committee on China from meeting with G42 and UAE government officials.
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The U.S. Congress has expressed strong concern about the $1.5 billion investment between G42 and Microsoft. Lawmakers are concerned that sensitive AI technology could pass through the investment to Emirati companies with historical ties to China. A spokesman for the committee said Congress would increase oversight of the deal given the UAE's refusal to meet with congressional staff to discuss the issues.
The canceled meeting could cause a rift in diplomatic relations between the United States and Afghanistan. The U.S. State Department did not comment on the matter, while the G42 referred relevant questions to the UAE government for response.
A spokesperson from the UAE Embassy said that the meeting was originally canceled due to poor communication about the visit. He noted that the embassy had only learned of the congressional staff's visit shortly before the incident. The spokesperson also emphasized that the UAE has close cooperation with the United States in controlling advanced technologies and has had many communications with committee members recently.
The meeting was originally intended to discuss complex chip transfer issues involving companies such as Nvidia, as well as issues related to Sino-US technology competition. Congressional staff also met with Saudi officials during the trip, with the kingdom showing strong interest in the visit and hoping to address U.S. concerns related to its activities with the Chinese government.
Highlights:
?The UAE blocked US congressional staff from meeting with the G42, leading to the cancellation of the meeting.
Congress will step up oversight of the G42-Microsoft deal, putting diplomatic relations under pressure.
This incident reflects the complexity and sensitivity of scientific and technological competition between major powers, as well as the importance of information transparency, communication and coordination in international cooperation. In the future, the U.S. Congress will continue to increase its scrutiny of G42 and related technologies, and the relationship between the United States and Afghanistan will also face new tests. The subsequent development of the incident deserves continued attention.