Cairo: Cisco, a networking and security company, and G42, the UAE-based artificial intelligence firm, have announced a significant expansion of their collaboration to advance secure AI infrastructure. This initiative underscores Cisco's commitment to driving digital advances across the region, focusing on building secure and high-performance infrastructure for the AI era.
According to Emirates News Agency, Cisco will power, connect, and secure a large-scale AI cluster deployed by G42, featuring AMD's advanced MI350X GPUs. This deployment integrates Cisco's comprehensive AI infrastructure, covering compute, networking, security, storage, optics, and analytics tools, to provide scalable performance and unified management for advanced AI workloads in the region.
Cisco will also serve as the technology integrator within G42's Regulated Technology Environment (RTE), a compliance and security framework designed to ensure advanced compute infrastructure operates with optimal protection, transparency, and governance.
This collaboration is part of the broader US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which aims to advance bilateral technology goals. Key projects under this partnership include 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 to the UAE in May 2025.
Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, highlighted the collaboration as a deepening of trust and technological alignment between the US and UAE, emphasizing the shared commitment to building secure and compliant AI infrastructure that fosters global innovation.
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, expressed pride in deepening the partnership with G42, highlighting the role of secure, high-performance infrastructure in powering the UAE's AI innovation. The collaboration is seen as a strengthening of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership and a significant step in the UAE's digital transformation journey.
Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, also expressed pride in partnering with Cisco and G42, emphasizing the performance and scalability of AMD's MI350X accelerators in advancing secure AI innovation in the UAE.
According to Cisco's latest AI research, 92% of organizations in the UAE plan to deploy AI agents, with 41% expecting them to work alongside employees within a year. However, only 25% have robust GPU capacity. This partnership aims to close that gap by providing scalable, secure AI infrastructure designed for growth.
With AI driving innovation, Cisco's engagement in digital transformation across the UAE is crucial. This collaboration represents a strategic step in Cisco's mission to turn innovation into impact and accelerate the region's digital future.
Cisco's end-to-end AI-ready data center solution combines compute, networking, security, automation, and optics. The deployment will utilize Cisco's data center portfolio, featuring UCS 885A servers with AMD MI350X GPUs, Nexus 9K 800G switches, VAST AI Operating System, Firepower 4200 firewalls, Nexus Dashboard, and Intersight. It will also include the latest Cisco optics and Advanced Services for planning and implementation.
The collaboration strengthens G42's network of trusted US technology partners, reinforcing a model of transparency and accountability within the Regulated Technology Environment framework.
G42 and Cisco will coordinate with relevant US government agencies to obtain the necessary licenses and regulatory clearances for deployment, expected to progress in the coming months pending final approvals.