The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with General Motors, held a private dinner with visiting General Motors’ Vice President for International Affairs Dan Frakes on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Westin Hotel Mina Seyahi in Dubai. Mr. Frakes is visiting the U.A.E. this week to meet with key U.A.E. government and industry stakeholders to discuss future mobility solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), and new frameworks that can expedite the adoption of technology across the Emirates. U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. Martina Strong joined the dinner and provided remarks.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. Martina Strong highlighted the growing technology partnerships between the United States and the U.A.E. 

• Innovative U.A.E. companies are partnering with U.S. companies to deploy advanced mobility technologies in the U.A.E. 
• The U.A.E. is a future-oriented country increasingly focused on frontier technology. 
• The U.A.E. has deliberately implemented a strategy to become one of the key anchors of the 21st century economy both regionally and globally. 
• The U.A.E. has a natural affinity for partnering with U.S. companies in part due to their entrepreneurial nature. 

Mr. Frakes outlined GM’s embrace of advanced mobility technologies.

• GM provided an overview of their Vision – to achieve a world of Zero Emissions, Zero Crashes, and Zero Congestion.
• Mr. Frakes noted that connectivity acts as the foundation for autonomous driving features. GM launched their connectivity and safety platform, OnStar in the UAE in 2021.
• GM will continue to assess how AI can be embedded across their brands of Cadillac, GMC, and Chevrolet for safer and more personalized driving experiences.
• Mr. Frakes envisions the adoption of a policy framework to remove regulatory barriers and tackle challenges in the automotive technology sector.  

Mr. Frakes elaborated on opportunities for further collaboration between General Motors and the U.A.E. He noted:

• Mr. Frakes lauded the U.A.E.’s  business climate and adoption of advanced mobility technology.  
• GM seeks to bring autonomous technologies to the U.A.E. and broader region faster.
• GM plans to launch Super Cruise, a driver assistance technology that allows hands-free driving, regionally. 
• GM seeks industry input on ways to better manage cross-border data flow and privacy issues.  

U.S. and U.A.E. stakeholders in attendance added to the discussion, drawing on previous experience and proposing new ways to enhance processes and regulations for future endeavors.

• One of the major global roadblocks to implementation of advanced mobility technology are regulations. 
• Technology and infrastructure development are essential for maintaining the autonomous vehicle industry.   
• Building confidence with both consumers and government policymakers is important for wide-scale adoption of autonomous vehicle technologies. 
• Mr. Frakes noted that GM seeks to onshore critical materials such as microchips and drew lessons from supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For more information about this event, please contact Amira Siddiqi at asiddiqi@usuaebusiness.org.