$1.5 trillion "eager to spend"! Meet the "new financial backers" in the American AI circle
The UAE National Security Advisor and brother of the President, Tahnoon, has assets exceeding $150 million. His AI fund, MGX, plans to allocate 70%-80% of its capital to top AI companies in the United States. In recent months, Zuckerberg, Musk, and the CEOs of Apple, Microsoft, and BlackRock have all had contact with Tahnoon
Sitting on a vast fortune, a mysterious member of the Abu Dhabi royal family is attempting to push the UAE to the forefront of the AI revolution.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on the 26th, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's national security advisor and brother of the president, is leading this initiative. At 56 years old, he controls two sovereign wealth funds with assets totaling $1.4 trillion, while also managing a substantial personal fortune.
Tahnoon's strategy is to leverage his cash and influence to diversify investments across the AI sector, aiming to establish the UAE as a global AI hub. Reports indicate that his AI fund MGX is investing in top American AI companies, with MGX's CEO Ahmed Yahia stating that the company plans to allocate 70% to 80% of its funds to the U.S.
As a "new financier" in the AI circle, Tahnoon is attracting global attention. In recent months, CEOs from Apple, Microsoft, and BlackRock have visited his luxurious royal estate in the Persian Gulf. During his fall trip to the U.S., he sparred with Brazilian jiu-jitsu enthusiast Mark Zuckerberg and toured Tesla's factory in Texas with Elon Musk.
Sheikh Tahnoon: From Gamer to AI Leader
According to media reports, Tahnoon is known for his obsession with various hobbies, investing significant energy and resources into activities ranging from combat sports and chess to video games. Now, he is applying the same strategy to a grander field—artificial intelligence.
Media sources citing informed individuals report that the MGX fund led by Tahnoon is expected to receive over $50 billion in investments; additionally, his controlled company Group 42 (G42) will also invest billions of dollars in AI research and development.
MGX is also one of the few supporters of the "Stargate" project, and Tahnoon has made substantial investments in OpenAI, Musk's xAI, and Amazon-backed Anthropic.
Leveraging "Cash Power"! Trillion-Dollar AI Layout
According to data from Global SWF, Tahnoon has his own business empire—a vast portfolio of real estate, maritime, banking, and food assets, many of which are linked to the government. This gives Tahnoon control over assets exceeding $1.5 trillion.
Microsoft President Brad Smith has stated that Tahnoon possesses the capital for "capital-intensive investment projects," and the company has been collaborating extensively with Tahnoon since 2023.
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink also noted that Abu Dhabi's "influence has far exceeded its population size," and his company is working with entities led by Tahnoon to invest in AI infrastructure
