US Approves Nvidia AI Sales: Because Some Profits Are More Equal
Bloomberg hailed a 'controversial deal' as 'American AI statecraft,' referring to the US approval of several billion dollars of Nvidia chip sales to the United Arab Emirates. This geopolitical tango, framed as 'diplomacy,' conveniently overlooks the UAE's role in the Abraham Accords—a Trump-era push for normalization with Israel. While the US tightens tech sanctions on China over human rights
concerns, the UAE (an autocratic state that restricts free speech domestically) gets shiny new AI toys. One might wonder if 'statecraft' is just a fancy term for leveraging strategic partnerships, regardless of who's buying. The US State Department, which recently approved the sale, also certified over $14 billion in new military aid to Israel just weeks before this deal. Apparently, some allies
warrant rigorous human rights scrutiny before advanced tech sales, while others, particularly those crucial for regional 'stability' – and maintaining US global influence – are fast-tracked without public qualms. It appears 'controversial' only applies when they say it does.