- 5GW AI data centre to span UAE desert
- G42 and US firms to lead development
What happened: Partnership to drive data infrastructure in the Middle East
The United States and the United Arab Emirates have announced plans to jointly develop a large-scale AI data centre campus. The project will deliver up to 5 gigawatts of capacity. The site will be built in the UAE desert and operated by Abu Dhabi-based G42. US-based hyperscale cloud providers will also take part.
The AI data campus will focus on training and deploying artificial intelligence systems. According to official sources, the facility will support advanced workloads. These include large language models, machine learning tasks, and high-performance computing. Construction will follow sustainability goals. Clean energy options are being discussed.
The campus will mark a deeper tech partnership between the US and UAE. Officials from both countries signed the agreement during a recent US-UAE Climate and Clean Energy Partnership meeting. The goal is to strengthen ties through shared innovation in digital infrastructure and AI development.
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Why it’s important
This new AI data campus highlights growing collaboration between the US and Gulf states in the tech sector. G42, a leading AI and cloud computing firm in the Middle East, will handle operations. American hyperscalers are expected to provide infrastructure and investment support. This aligns with wider US efforts to secure global influence in digital platforms.
The plan also reflects rising demand for AI power in emerging markets. UAE’s location offers land and energy for large data facilities. The 5GW scale would make this one of the biggest AI-focused data campuses worldwide.
In addition, the agreement shows how governments are linking climate goals with digital development. Renewable energy is likely to power the site. This mirrors similar global trends as data centres grow more energy-intensive.
