Nvidia is witnessing a surge in demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) chips, especially in the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the nations driving the demand with their recent bulk purchase.
For example, Saudi Arabia has purchased at least 3,000 of Nvidia’s H100 chips through the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The $40,000 chip is designed mostly for generative AI.
Nvidia will deliver KAUST’s $120 mn purchase later this year to boost its research and studies in building AI software.
Meanwhile, the UAE recently purchased thousands of chips for its open-source large language model (LLM) project called ‘Falcon’. The Technology Innovation Institute in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi developed the project using 34 A00 Nvidia chips.
Read: The next frontier in AI: Building computer chips from living neurons
Besides the recent purchase from Saudi and UAE, there have also been media reports of Chinese tech giants trying to pile up Nvidia’s high performance chips. These will serve as critical components for generative AI and related projects.
Nvidia’s chips are specifically designed to handle complex computational tasks required for AI algorithms like deep learning and machine learning. With their parallel processing capabilities and advanced architecture, Nvidia chips enable efficient and rapid execution of AI tasks. These features are critical components for AI-driven systems.
Saudi and UAE ambitions
With their economic diversification initiatives, both Saudi and the UAE know the immense potential of AI in revolutionizing a wide range of industries. These include healthcare, transportation, and finance, among others. Both nations are undertaking ambitious initiatives become global leaders in AI technology and innovation.
To achieve this, the Saudi and UAE governments have been investing in AI research and development. They have also been forging partnerships with leading technology companies.
By securing a steady supply of Nvidia’s high performance chips, Saudi and the UAE can accelerate their AI initiatives and gain a competitive edge in the global AI landscape.
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