Elon Musk held a series of meetings with the senior leadership of the United Arab Emirates, during which key technological initiatives, the development of artificial intelligence, and prospects for long-term cooperation were discussed.
The President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, received Elon Musk in Abu Dhabi in the presence of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Crown Prince of Dubai. A separate meeting took place in Dubai, at the majlis of the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who personally showed Musk around the city ahead of the talks.
Key announcements
During the meetings, the following plans and initiatives were announced:
- the launch of the Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in the UAE in January 2026;
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the launch of the Dubai Loop project scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with a capacity of up to 20,000 passengers per hour;
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the volume of UAE investments in artificial intelligence since 2024 has reached USD 148 billion;
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the partnership between investment company MGX and xAI is aimed at investing up to USD 100 billion in AI infrastructure.
No new commercial agreements were signed following the visit; however, the parties emphasized the strategic importance of the established connections.
What is Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD)
Tesla FSD is an advanced autonomous driving system developed by Tesla. Unlike standard driver assistance systems, FSD is designed to perform a full driving cycle in urban environments.
Tesla FSD functions include:
- automatic driving on city streets;
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recognition of traffic lights, road signs, and pedestrians;
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independent turns, lane changes, and U-turns;
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point-to-point navigation without driver input.
The system is based on artificial intelligence and neural networks trained on data from millions of kilometers of real-world driving. Despite its name, FSD still requires driver supervision and operates within local regulatory frameworks.
The launch of FSD in the UAE will be an important step for the region, given its developed road infrastructure, digitalization, and the government’s interest in autonomous transport.
What is Dubai Loop
Dubai Loop is a high-speed underground transportation system being developed based on the concept of The Boring Company. The project consists of a network of tunnels through which electric vehicles will transport passengers between key areas of the city.
Key features of Dubai Loop:
- fully underground infrastructure;
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use of electric vehicles;
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high frequency of movement;
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capacity of up to 20,000 passengers per hour;
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minimal waiting times and no traffic congestion.
Dubai Loop is seen as a complement to existing public transport and as part of Dubai’s long-term strategy to reduce road congestion and emissions.