Cisco and G42 have announced an expanded collaboration to develop secure, high-performance AI infrastructure that will power the UAE’s next phase of digital innovation. The partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to building scalable, trusted systems that support the country’s growing AI ecosystem.
Under the initiative, Cisco will power, connect, and secure a large-scale AI cluster deployed by G42, featuring AMD’s MI350X GPUs. The deployment integrates Cisco’s full-stack AI infrastructure — including compute, networking, security, storage, optics, observability, and analytics — to deliver scalable performance and unified management for the UAE’s most advanced AI workloads.
Cisco will also serve as the technology integrator within G42’s Regulated Technology Environment (RTE), a gold-standard compliance framework ensuring transparency, protection, and governance. The collaboration reinforces G42’s commitment to secure and sovereign AI development.
“This collaboration with Cisco represents the next phase of deepening trust and technological alignment between the US and UAE under the AI Acceleration Partnership,” said Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42. “It reinforces our shared commitment to building high-performance, secure, sovereign and compliant AI infrastructure that enables global innovation while upholding the highest standards of governance.”
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, added: “Cisco is proud to deepen our partnership with G42, powering the UAE’s next wave of AI innovation by delivering secure, trusted, high-performance infrastructure. Together, we are building the foundation for a future driven by responsible and impactful innovation.”
The project aligns with the US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which includes the 1GW Stargate UAE cluster under construction in Abu Dhabi and the 5GW UAE–US AI technology campus announced during President Trump’s state visit in May 2025.
Cisco’s technology stack includes UCS 885A servers with AMD MI350X GPUs, Nexus 9K 800G switches, Firepower 4200 firewalls, VAST AI OS, and management via Nexus Dashboard and Intersight.
Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, said: “AMD is proud to partner with Cisco and G42 to power the next generation of AI infrastructure in the UAE. Our Instinct MI350X accelerators deliver the performance, efficiency, and scalability needed to advance secure, sovereign AI innovation.”
According to Cisco’s research, 92 percent of UAE organisations plan to deploy AI agents, but only 25 percent have robust GPU capacity. The Cisco–G42 partnership aims to close that gap, laying the groundwork for a secure, AI-powered digital future.
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