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The United States and UAE have inked a multibillion-dollar agreement to build the world’s largest artificial intelligence campus outside the US.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, the US confirmed it would partner with the UAE to build a new data center in Abu Dhabi, forming the centerpiece of what officials are calling the largest artificial intelligence campus outside the United States. The facility will be constructed by Emirati tech firm G42 in collaboration with several undisclosed American companies, and will eventually span 10 square miles with a total capacity of 5 gigawatts—enough to power a major city. The project’s first phase includes a 1-gigawatt AI data center and will serve as a regional hub for US hyperscale cloud providers, offering advanced, American-managed AI and cloud services to users across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The partnership goes beyond infrastructure—it includes agreements to allow the UAE to purchase advanced U.S.-made AI semiconductors, under strict conditions that all data center operations be managed by American firms. This move is designed to ensure that sensitive technologies are safeguarded.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the national strategic importance of the project, stating, “By extending the world’s leading American tech stack to an important strategic partner in the region, this agreement is a major milestone in achieving President Trump’s vision for U.S. AI dominance.” The White House also confirmed that the UAE has committed to building or financing data centers in the United States that match the scale and capabilities of the Abu Dhabi facility.
The agreement is part of a broader $1.4 trillion, 10-year investment framework between the two nations, targeting sectors like energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the initiative, calling it a vital step toward the country’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2031. “This partnership strengthens our position as a hub for cutting-edge research and sustainable development,” he said.
President Trump, speaking during the final leg of a tour through the Gulf, added, “This will generate billions and billions of dollars in business and accelerate the UAE’s plans to become a really major player in artificial intelligence.”
