Amassive delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), comprising its
most influential sovereign wealth funds and state-backed artificial
intelligence powerhouses, is set to arrive in Seoul. Their mission: to identify
and invest in the bedrock of Korea’s AI supply chain, ranging from next-generation
semiconductors to large-scale data center infrastructure.
According to industry sources on May 7, the UAE delegation will host the 'Korea-UAE
AI Infrastructure & Semiconductor Investment Cooperation Forum' on May 13 at the
Grand InterContinental Parnas Seoul. This event marks a critical milestone in the
bilateral economic partnership, signaling the transition from traditional energy
cooperation to a sophisticated technology-driven alliance.

"The UAE views AI as the definitive engine for the post-oil era. By integrating Korea's
hardware prowess with the Middle East's capital and infrastructure ambitions, we are
witnessing the birth of a new 'Sovereign AI' corridor."

The delegation's roster reads like a "who’s who" of the global investment landscape.
Included are the UAE Ministry of Investment, Mubadala Investment Company, the

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and MGX—the recently launched AI-
focused investment platform. On the operational side, G42, Core42, and Khazna

Data Centres—the largest data center operator in the Middle East—will participate
to seek technical synergy.
This visit is a direct follow-up to the diplomatic momentum established during
President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Abu Dhabi in November last year. During

that summit, the two nations agreed to cooperate on projects valued at
approximately $30 billion, including AI data centers. This was further solidified in
February when a special envoy mission led by the Chief of Staff secured additional
commitments, bringing the total potential economic cooperation to a staggering $65
billion across defense, nuclear energy, and AI.

For Korean startups, the forum represents more than just funding; it is a gateway to
the "Sovereign AI" movement. Sovereign AI refers to a nation's ability to produce AI
using its own data, computing power, and infrastructure. As Middle Eastern nations
strive for digital sovereignty, they are increasingly looking toward Korean firms that
offer specialized NPU (Neural Processing Unit) designs and efficient cloud
management solutions that are less dependent on Western monopolies.
The presence of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
(MBZUAI) also suggests a long-term commitment to research and human capital
development. Industry analysts expect that the deals struck during this forum could
lead to the establishment of joint ventures and the deployment of Korean AI
solutions throughout the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
As the UAE accelerates its drive to become a global AI hub, Korea’s role as a strategic
hardware and software provider is becoming indispensable. "This is not just about
capital injection," an industry official noted. "It's about co-creating the
infrastructure that will define the next fifty years of global industry."

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