Cisco will power, connect and secure a large-scale artificial intelligence cluster deployed by Abu Dhabi-based AI company G42 under an expanded collaboration aimed at closing the graphics processing unit capacity gap across the United Arab Emirates. The effort aligns with the U.S.–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, Cisco said Tuesday.
What Will Power the New AI Cluster?
The G42 AI cluster features AMD’s MI350X GPUs. Lisa Su, chair and CEO of AMD, said the Instinct MI350X accelerators “deliver the performance, efficiency, and scalability needed to advance secure, sovereign AI innovation.”
The system will integrate Cisco’s full-stack, AI-ready data center portfolio, including compute, networking, security, storage, optics, observability and analytics tools, to deliver scalable performance for high-demand AI workloads. Cisco said its latest optics enable the highest-performing and most reliable networks.
According to Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, the collaboration underscores the company’s long-term commitment to supporting the UAE’s digital transformation. “Together, we are building the foundation for a future driven by responsible and impactful innovation,” he added.
As part of the collaboration, Cisco will serve as the technology integrator within G42’s Regulated Technology Environment, a compliance and security framework designed to prevent unauthorized access or misuse of advanced computing resources.
Supporting the U.S.–UAE AI Partnership
The collaboration builds on ongoing efforts under the U.S.–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which includes projects such as the 1GW Stargate UAE cluster under construction in Abu Dhabi and the planned 5GW UAE–U.S. AI technology campus announced earlier this year.
Cisco and G42 will coordinate with relevant U.S. government agencies to secure the necessary licenses and regulatory approvals before deployment.