UAE-Based AI Firm Investigated for Links to Blacklisted Chinese Entities
Lawmakers in the United States are calling for an investigation into a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm, G42, due to its connections with blacklisted Chinese entities. The firm, which has ties to OpenAI and Microsoft, is under scrutiny for its association with Chinese companies engaged in surveillance and human rights abuses.
In an open letter to US Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, lawmakers expressed concerns about G42’s extensive relationships with Chinese military and intelligence services, as well as state-owned entities. The company’s chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, who is also the UAE’s National Security Advisor, and CEO Peng Xiao are leading figures with alleged questionable affiliations.
Of particular concern is G42’s active relationships with Huawei, Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), and other individuals involved in promoting China’s intelligence efforts. Both Huawei and BGI have already been blacklisted by the US government due to suspected involvement in surveillance activities for the Chinese government.
Lawmakers fear that without restrictions imposed on G42, the company’s capabilities could be used by blacklisted entities, such as BGI, to exploit data collected from American citizens. They also worry that export controls against Huawei will be undermined if the company can access advanced hardware and cloud computing services through its partners like G42.
Furthermore, G42’s CEO also serves as the executive director of Pegasus Technology, a subsidiary of Dark Matter. Pegasus develops spyware and surveillance tools that can be used by governments to illegally spy on individuals, including dissidents, journalists, politicians, and US companies.
The lawmakers highlighted that some of the tools developed by Pegasus and Dark Matter are subject to export controls, but no restrictions have been placed on these companies by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). This lack of action raises concerns about the potential diversion of export-controlled technology to China-based affiliates supporting surveillance and human rights abuses.
In addition, the letter highlighted various connections between G42 and individuals related to China’s intelligence efforts, including a former director at the University of California Los Angeles who now collaborates with Dark Matter on AI research.
The investigation into G42 comes at a time when the Biden administration has been cracking down heavily on trade with China, particularly concerning organizations that can provide advanced technology to further China’s military and intelligence objectives.
G42, a leader in AI research, is working on various technologies such as cloud computing and data centers. Key investors in the company include the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and US private equity firm Silver Lake.
Given G42’s relationships with top US tech companies like Microsoft, Dell, and OpenAI, concerns arise regarding its ties to China. Lawmakers argue that G42’s extensive capabilities could enable partners to engage in illegal activities, posing risks to the US government, academic institutions, and other companies.
The call for an investigation highlights the need for transparency and oversight in AI collaborations between companies in the UAE and China, particularly those associated with surveillance and human rights concerns. It remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold and what actions will be taken to address these issues.
