Microsoft has secured a U.S. export license to supply the United Arab Emirates with advanced Nvidia AI chips, a move described by a top executive as a crucial first step. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith predicted this would pave the way for other major U.S. technology firms, such as AWS, Google, and Oracle, to also gain approval for expanding their AI infrastructure in the UAE. The approval underscores Microsoft's deepening commitment to the region, where it plans to invest $15.2 billion between 2023 and 2030. This includes building more data centers and providing technical training. The successful effort to meet U.S. cybersecurity and physical security requirements was highlighted as the foundational work that could enable broader access to crucial AI hardware for other American tech giants in the country.