Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a historic display of international cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and President Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States, jointly unveiled Phase 1 of a monumental 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu Dhabi.
The launch event, held at the majestic Qasr Al Watan, marked the groundbreaking of the first 1GW AI data center—part of what will become the largest AI-focused infrastructure deployment outside of the United States. The initiative is a cornerstone of the newly announced US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, a strategic government-to-government framework that cements bilateral cooperation in advanced technology.
A Global AI Hub in the Making
Spearheaded by G42, the UAE’s national AI champion, in collaboration with leading American companies, the 10-square-mile campus will host US hyperscalers and multinational enterprises. It is set to provide high-capacity, low-latency compute resources to serve the Global South, with nearly half the world’s population residing within 3,200 km of the UAE.
The campus will be powered by a combination of nuclear, solar, and gas energy sources, reinforcing the UAE’s climate-conscious innovation agenda. It will also include a science park dedicated to advanced AI research and development.
Deepening Strategic Tech Ties
This megaproject builds on the UAE’s legacy of AI leadership—it was the first country to appoint a Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and later launched the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the world’s first graduate-level AI institution.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), noted:
“Today’s agreement is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between our countries in artificial intelligence. It reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to innovation and global partnership, positioning the nation at the forefront of sustainable AI development.”
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick added:
“This historic agreement promotes critical investments in semiconductors and data centers across both the U.S. and the UAE. It extends the world’s leading American tech stack to a trusted strategic partner, ensuring robust security and shared prosperity.”
Security, Access, and Global Standards
As part of the agreement, the UAE and US will implement enhanced Know-Your-Customer (KYC) protocols and strict access controls to prevent the misuse of compute resources. Access will be exclusively reserved for U.S. hyperscalers and approved cloud service providers, ensuring technological integrity and compliance with global standards.
A Bold Vision for Global AI Leadership
The unveiling of this campus signals a significant leap in global AI collaboration, sustainability, and infrastructure. With its strategic location, strong governance, and commitment to innovation, the UAE is rapidly solidifying its position as a leading AI hub not just for the Middle East but for the world.
As the UAE and US align their AI ambitions, this partnership lays a powerful foundation for shared global leadership in shaping the next chapter of intelligent technology.
