In a landmark moment for global tech cooperation, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Donald Trump of the United States attended the unveiling of the first phase of a 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi. The event took place at the iconic Qasr Al Watan, marking a major leap forward in the UAE’s quest to become a global artificial intelligence hub.
Largest AI Campus Outside the US
The newly announced UAE-US AI Campus will be the largest AI facility outside the United States, featuring 5GW of AI data center capacity. Its design can serve not just the Middle East, but also the Global South. Thanks to its strategic location and robust infrastructure.
Key highlights include:
- âś… 5GW AI data capacity to support hyperscalers
- ✅ Latency-friendly services for nearly half of the world’s population
- âś… Power mix of nuclear, solar, and gas to cut carbon emissions
- âś… A science park to foster cutting-edge AI innovation
Deepening UAE-US Tech Ties
This initiative builds on the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, a joint governmental framework to promote collaboration in AI and advanced technologies. The project will be developed by UAE-based G42 and operated alongside major US tech companies, who will lead the deployment of cloud infrastructure and data services across the region.
Under this partnership:
- âś… US hyperscalers will operate regional AI data centers
- âś… Both sides will jointly regulate the access to compute resources
- âś… Services will be extended to strategic partners in the region
Voices from the Leaders
H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), highlighted the broader vision behind this ambitious project:
“Today’s unveiling of this campus is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between our countries in artificial intelligence. It is an expression of the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovation and fostering global collaboration in AI, strengthening the UAE’s position as a hub for cutting-edge research and sustainable development, delivering transformative benefits for humanity.”
US Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick echoed the significance of this partnership:
“This campus launch marks a historic AI partnership between the US and the Middle East. It promotes major investment in semiconductors and data centers across both nations, extending the US tech stack to a critical strategic partner.”
UAE’s Bold AI Vision
The UAE has consistently led AI innovation in the region:
- ✅ In 2017, it appointed the world’s first Minister of AI
- âś… It launched the Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI in 2019
- âś… It was among the first to implement a National AI Strategy
With a focus on education, healthcare, energy, and transportation, the UAE continues to lay the groundwork for AI-driven transformation across all vital sectors.