On September 13, 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan gifted a Cerebras CS-2 AI superchip to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a state visit in Abu Dhabi. The CS-2, described as the world’s fastest AI chip, is manufactured by US-based Cerebras Systems and is valued at approximately $10 million. The gesture highlights growing technological and strategic ties between the UAE and India in the field of artificial intelligence.
The Cerebras CS-2 AI superchip is a groundbreaking piece of technology designed for large-scale AI model training. Unlike traditional GPUs, the CS-2 features a single wafer-scale chip measuring 46,225 square millimeters, containing 2.6 trillion transistors. Cerebras Systems claims the chip delivers 100 times the performance of leading GPUs, making it the fastest AI accelerator currently available. The system is used by enterprises and governments for training advanced AI models in sectors like healthcare, defense, and scientific research.
The gift was presented during Modi’s two-day state visit to the UAE, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations in trade, energy, and technology. According to official statements, the UAE and India signed multiple agreements, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on AI research and development. The MoU aims to foster joint projects in AI infrastructure, talent development, and policy frameworks, positioning both nations as leaders in the global AI ecosystem.
Cerebras Systems, the company behind the CS-2, is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and has raised over $720 million in funding from investors like Altimeter Capital and VY Capital. The company’s clients include the US Department of Energy, pharmaceutical firms, and research institutions. The UAE has been a key investor in Cerebras, with Abu Dhabi’s G42, an AI and cloud computing company, partnering with Cerebras to deploy its systems in the Middle East for AI-driven initiatives.
The CS-2 superchip’s inclusion in the gift underscores the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for AI innovation. The UAE government has launched several initiatives, including the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to integrate AI across key sectors such as healthcare, education, and transportation. The strategy also emphasizes partnerships with leading AI companies and research institutions worldwide, with India emerging as a critical ally in this vision.
For India, the gift aligns with its National AI Strategy, which seeks to leverage AI for economic growth and societal benefit. The Indian government has identified AI as a priority sector under its ‘Digital India’ initiative, with plans to establish AI research centers and promote startups in the field. The collaboration with the UAE is expected to accelerate India’s AI capabilities, particularly in areas like semiconductor manufacturing and high-performance computing.
Analysts view the gift as a strategic move to deepen tech diplomacy between the two nations. The UAE, a major investor in global technology, has been expanding its partnerships with countries like the US, China, and India to diversify its economy beyond oil. India, with its rapidly growing tech sector and talent pool, presents a lucrative opportunity for the UAE to invest in AI and semiconductor technologies. The partnership is also seen as a counterbalance to China’s dominance in the global AI landscape.
The Cerebras CS-2 system gifted to India is expected to be deployed in a yet-to-be-announced AI research facility, potentially in collaboration with Indian institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) or the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The system’s capabilities could be utilized for projects in natural language processing, climate modeling, and drug discovery, areas where India has shown growing expertise.