CNBC: Elon Musk Seeks to Block Stargate in UAE

Informed sources told CNBC that Tesla CEO Elon Musk attempted to thwart a major AI infrastructure deal in the Middle East after learning that his startup, xAI, would be excluded from the initiative. Earlier this month, G42, the company responsible for building the UAE’s new artificial intelligence campus, announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank Group, and Cisco to launch the “Stargate UAE” project.

Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said Musk was frustrated with the selection of OpenAI, led by his personal rival Sam Altman, for the deal and intervened to try to bring xAI on board.

The source added that Musk argued that President Donald Trump would not approve the deal, the announcement of which was delayed for several days as stakeholders, including the White House, dealt with Musk’s reactions, who is embroiled in a public and legal dispute with Altman and OpenAI.

“Stargate UAE” is an advanced AI infrastructure project that will be located within the new five-gigawatt UAE-US AI campus in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, according to a statement from G42.