UAE and Malaysia sign AI investment agreement

The UAE and Malaysia on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support joint investment in artificial intelligence (AI), as part of Malaysia Madani Artificial Intelligence (MMAI) initiative.

The partnership aims to use AI and advanced data analytics to enhance community safety, national security and operational efficiencies.

The UAE and Malaysia will continue collaborating to "promote technical cooperation in several key areas, including the development of AI-driven national security systems, establishing high-performance computing data centres and national security operations centres, enhancing customs tax collection, and improving operational efficiencies."

The MoU was officially signed by Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, the UAE Minister of Investment, and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs.

Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, “This partnership with the UAE represents a crucial step in advancing Malaysia’s ambitions to become a key player in the global AI landscape. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and advanced data analytics, we aim to address complex challenges, including public safety, while driving greater operational efficiencies.

The agreement comes as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was on an official visit to the UAE, meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In 2023, non-oil trade between the two countries surpassed $4.9 billion, while the first half of 2024 alone recorded $2.5 billion in non-oil trade.

Malaysia is the UAE's 12th largest trading partner in Asia and fifth among ASEAN countries, while the UAE is Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner in the Arab world.