U.S. Central Command announced an agreement with the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to create the first joint task force dedicated to accelerating military artificial intelligence applications.
The new unit, called Task Force Talon Synapse, will be based in Abu Dhabi and is set to launch in the coming weeks. It will bring together roughly 20 American and Emirati specialists in AI, data, and cybersecurity. The task force will concentrate on applying AI to intelligence support, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and tracking the regional security picture.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper called the move a historic step with one of America’s strongest regional partners. He said the two sides share a commitment to delivering AI tools to warfighters quickly and at scale.
The idea was first discussed last year between Cooper and UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. CENTCOM followed up with meetings involving AI industry leaders and Emirati defense officials during a recent regional trip.
