UAE to Build World’s Largest AI Campus Outside the US in Landmark Partnership

Education & Research

UAE to Build World’s Largest AI Campus Outside the US in Landmark Partnership

The United Arab Emirates is set to construct the largest artificial intelligence (AI) campus outside the United States, as part of a new bilateral agreement unveiled during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UAE. The ambitious 5-gigawatt (GW) AI campus will be located in Abu Dhabi and marks a major milestone in the growing technological collaboration between the two nations.

The project, which spans over 10 square miles (25.9 square kilometres), is being led by G42, a UAE-based technology conglomerate. While the construction is backed by the UAE, the data centres will be operated by American companies offering U.S.-managed cloud services, according to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

Designed to meet regional computing needs, the facility will serve as a strategic hub for American technology firms, enabling fast and secure services to countries across the Global South and beyond. It is expected to play a central role in regional AI advancements and cloud infrastructure development.

To reduce its carbon footprint, the campus will utilise a combination of nuclear, solar, and natural gas energy. In addition to its computing infrastructure, it will also include a science park dedicated to AI innovation and research.

The announcement coincides with the launch of the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, a framework for enhanced collaboration on AI and advanced technologies. This initiative is expected to bolster investment in semiconductor production and cloud computing, reinforcing both countries’ leadership in AI innovation.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), hailed the campus as a symbol of the UAE’s commitment to global AI development.

“It is an expression of the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovation and fostering global collaboration in artificial intelligence, strengthening the UAE’s position as a hub for cutting-edge research and sustainable development,” Sheikh Tahnoon said.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that the collaboration is a major step in President Trump’s vision for U.S. AI dominance.

“The announcement of the campus launches a historic Middle Eastern partnership on AI between our two nations,” Lutnick stated. “By extending the world’s leading American tech stack to an important strategic partner in the region, this agreement is a major milestone.”

UAE’s Leadership in AI

The UAE has long been at the forefront of AI innovation. It became the first country to appoint a federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and established the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019. The country also launched its UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2017, aiming to embed AI into key sectors such as education, energy, healthcare, and transportation.

Earlier this month, the UAE announced the integration of AI as a subject across public schools, beginning in the next academic year from kindergarten through Grade 12. The initiative reinforces the country’s dedication to cultivating AI literacy and nurturing a future-ready workforce.