In a landmark agreement announced during President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour, the United Arab Emirates will construct the world’s largest artificial intelligence campus outside the United States. The 10-square-mile site in Abu Dhabi will feature a 5-gigawatt data center cluster and aims to become a leading global hub for AI development.
The project is a joint venture between Emirati AI firm G42 and major U.S. technology companies including OpenAI, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft. Under the agreement, the UAE will receive up to 500,000 of Nvidia’s latest AI chips annually beginning in 2025. The deal also includes commitments to collaborative research and bilateral infrastructure development.
This initiative represents a significant policy shift by the U.S. government, which has previously restricted the export of advanced semiconductor technology to the Middle East. Officials stressed that the agreement includes strict safeguards to prevent unauthorized transfers, particularly to China, which maintains close economic ties with the UAE.
The AI campus will be powered by nuclear, solar, and gas sources to limit emissions. A dedicated science park will also be included to promote AI innovation, education, and public-private collaboration. As part of the broader U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, the UAE has pledged to fund similar infrastructure within the U.S. to deepen technological cooperation.
Industry leaders such as Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Sam Altman were present for the signing event, which drew significant attention from the global tech community. While many hailed the agreement as a milestone for innovation and economic growth, analysts have cautioned about its potential geopolitical ramifications and the need for tight security protocols.
