AI use in the US military has had a rocky rollout, most recently with the Pentagon designating Anthropic as a supply-chain risk for refusing to remove certain safeguards. Now it's looking overseas for a joint task force between US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the United Arab Emirates to develop military AI applications.
The effort, named Task Force Talon Synapse, is set to launch “in the coming weeks,” CENTCOM says, and will focus on “integrating AI applications for intelligence support, protecting critical infrastructure, and monitoring the regional security environment.”
Task Force Talon Synapse will be based in Abu Dhabi and will consist of about 20 American and Emirati personnel with backgrounds in AI, data, and cybersecurity.
“This will be a historic milestone as we work with one of our most capable regional partners to rapidly deliver evolving AI advancements to our warfighters,” CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said in a statement. “Together, we and our Emirati partners share a strong commitment to adopting AI applications that will foster innovation at speed and scale.”
The agreement comes a few months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the agency to "accelerate America's Military AI Dominance by becoming an 'AI-first' warfighting force across all components, from front to back." Task Force Talon Synapse has been in the works since at least 2025, when Commander Cooper discussed the idea with UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, CENTCOM says.
Tahnoon, brother of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is one of the wealthiest men in the world. He has invested billions in AI and holds a 49% stake in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency company, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Earlier this month, the US Commerce Department announced it would allow the UAE to receive advanced computing items in the UAE without a license, including AI chips and servers. As The Independent reports, that includes G42, the company chaired by Tahnoon. The Biden administration had declined the request in 2023, citing the UAE's connections to China.