Elon Musk Meets UAE Leaders as Dubai Pushes Ahead on AI and Future Tech
The visit included back-to-back meetings with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Hamdan in Dubai.
Elon Musk spent Sunday being driven through Dubai’s streets by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. It wasn’t a joyride. The Tesla and SpaceX chief was there cementing partnerships that signal where global tech power is shifting — away from increasingly hostile Western markets and toward the Middle East’s open chequebook.
The visit included back-to-back meetings with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Hamdan in Dubai, focused on artificial intelligence, space exploration, and advanced technologies. According to Sheikh Hamdan’s X (formerly Twitter), the Crown Prince personally toured Musk through the city, discussing “space, technology and humanity” before ending at his majlis in Nad Al Sheba.
The timing reveals everything. Musk’s net worth hit between $648 billion, according to Bloomberg, and $749 billion, according to Forbes, this month, making him the first person to cross $700 billion. But while his wealth soars, his companies face mounting resistance elsewhere. Tesla sales collapsed 50% in Europe in April 2025 amid boycotts tied to Musk’s political alignment. In the US, the Cybertruck stumbles. Meanwhile, Dubai moves forward with the Dubai Loop.
Announced at February’s World Government Summit, the 17-kilometer underground transit system will feature 11 stations and transport over 20,000 passengers per hour at speeds up to 160 km/h. It is being developed through a partnership between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Musk’s The Boring Company. Operations are expected to begin in Q2 2026, according to UAE AI Minister Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, who attended Sunday’s meetings alongside Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed.
This isn’t exploratory. It’s execution. While US and European regulators debate AI governance and antitrust actions, the UAE builds. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that the country’s legislative frameworks, strategic partnerships, and investment in human capital continue to inspire innovation — code for “we move fast without the friction you’re facing elsewhere.”
Musk praised the UAE’s achievements in technology, AI, and space. His companies already have operational ties in the country, including space collaborations between Dubai and SpaceX and infrastructure work with The Boring Company. But this weekend’s meetings suggest both sides are doubling down. The UAE wants to cement its position as the Middle East’s undisputed tech hub. Musk wants partners who can move quickly and invest heavily while his Western markets grow complicated.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
What we’re watching is geographic diversification disguised as a partnership. As regulatory environments tighten in the West and consumer sentiment shifts, the Gulf presents an alternative: less oversight, more ambition, faster timelines. Whether that produces better outcomes remains to be seen. But the capital is flowing, the projects are launching, and Musk is showing up in person.
The broader implication? The Middle East isn’t just participating in the global tech race anymore — it’s competing to host it.
