US President Joe Biden will welcome United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the White House on Monday for talks on issues ranging from the conflict in Gaza, Sudan and responsible artificial intelligence development, Reuters reports.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said the visit would be the first-ever by a president of the Gulf Arab country to Washington, adding that Vice President Kamala Harris would meet separately with the UAE leader.

The United States has been increasingly concerned about the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries becoming a conduit for advanced US AI technology reaching China, which it fears could use the technology to bolster its military.

Microsoft’s $1.5billion investment, announced in April, in UAE-based artificial intelligence firm G42 has fueled concerns among China hardliners in Congress as to whether those controls go far enough.

The meetings would also focus on climate, clean energy and UAE’s role as a partner in the Group of Seven’s global infrastructure partnership, Kirby told reporters.