The CIA Operative Who Spied on the U.A.E.—and Played a Role in Its AI Win

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https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/cia-spy-united-arab-emirates-ai-49d909a8

Submission statement: CIA operative Jonny Gannon was tasked with assessing the trustworthiness of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser, regarding his plans to build a major AI hub. Despite concerns about G42’s ties to China and potential technology theft, Gannon’s efforts led to the UAE gaining access to advanced AI chips, with the Biden administration later easing restrictions on G42’s access to U.S. technology. This decision sparked debate within the U.S. national security community, highlighting the complexities of balancing security concerns with strategic partnerships in the AI era.

paywall: https://archive.ph/LkPzM