Microsoft has said it wants more “clarity and consistency” over US export controls that have held up the shipping of cutting-edge artificial intelligence chips to the Middle East, as the tech giant announces the opening of new AI institutes alongside its Abu Dhabi-based partner G42. 

The Seattle-based company this year invested $1.5bn in G42, seeking to use the United Arab Emirates’ biggest AI company as a gateway to markets in Africa and Asia, where it believes demand for AI is unmet and growing.

However, the US has so far restricted exports of chips specialised for AI software to the Middle East, fearing that the technology could leak to China. Microsoft has still not obtained the licences to ship components needed for some of its plans with G42, a company that came under scrutiny from US lawmakers for its past links with Chinese companies.