The cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Paris aims for an open, sovereign, and interoperable AI, with global impact on strategic sectors and emerging regions.
In a strategic move that reinforces the growing technological cooperation between Europe and the Middle East, G42, the Emirati group based in Abu Dhabi, and the French company Mistral AI, a European leader in open language models, have announced a partnership for the joint development of next-generation artificial intelligence platforms and infrastructures.
The announcement was made during the Choose France forum, an event that gathers technology leaders and international investors to attract talent and innovation to French territory. This partnership aligns with agreements signed in February 2025 between the presidents of France and the United Arab Emirates, Emmanuel Macron and Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence.
An Interregional Technological Ecosystem
The goal of this collaboration is ambitious: to design and deploy AI infrastructures that are scalable, transparent, energy-efficient, and aligned with ethical governance principles. To achieve this, G42 will contribute its infrastructure expertise through companies like Core42 and Inception, while Mistral AI will lead the development of large language models (LLMs) and open-source-based solutions.
Both companies will work on developing integrated platforms with technical autonomy and sovereign control of intellectual property, with applications designed for key sectors such as health, energy, logistics, education, and financial services.
Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, stated that “this alliance is not just about technology, but about building trust, interoperability, and a shared model for the responsible development of AI.” In the same vein, Arthur Mensch, CEO and co-founder of Mistral AI, emphasized that “joining forces with G42 will allow us to accelerate the deployment of powerful, inclusive, and truly global artificial intelligence.”
Beyond Traditional Innovation Hubs
The agreement has a clear international dimension. The collaboration will encompass Europe, the Middle East, and the Global South, with a particular focus on bringing advanced AI capabilities to underfunded regions or those with limited technological representation. Additionally, a joint commercial strategy is planned to expand the reach of products developed by both companies into new markets.
One of the key pillars of the project will be the training of next-generation foundational models, as well as the development of intelligent agents and tools tailored to various regulatory frameworks and local needs.
Academic Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer
As part of the agreement, Mistral AI will also explore collaboration lines with MBZUAI University, the world’s first university dedicated solely to artificial intelligence. Based in Abu Dhabi, the institution will play a significant role in applied research and the training of specialized talent, particularly in areas such as energy efficiency of models, AI systems security, and new cognitive architectures.
The president of MBZUAI, Eric Xing, celebrated the agreement by highlighting the convergence of values: “innovation, collaboration, accessibility, and inclusion. These are the foundations that unite us to drive scientific advancements that truly impact society.”
Towards a More Accessible and Equitable AI
This alliance joins a growing global movement that advocates for accessible, decentralized artificial intelligence based on clear ethical and technical principles. In the face of a concentration of capabilities in the hands of a few tech players, G42 and Mistral AI propose a collaborative, distributed approach that respects data and model sovereignty.
With this initiative, both companies position themselves as leaders in building a truly global AI infrastructure capable of serving both advanced economies and developing countries.
The G42–Mistral AI partnership marks a decisive step toward a new model of technological collaboration between regions, companies, and academic institutions, aimed at an artificial intelligence open to the world and not limited by borders or corporate exclusivity.
Source: artificial intelligence news