In a landmark development during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UAE, the two countries have signed an agreement to establish the largest artificial intelligence (AI) campus outside the United States, situated in Abu Dhabi.
This ambitious initiative marks a significant step forward in the expanding technological and strategic collaboration between the Gulf nation and the US.
The new 10 square mile (25.9 square kilometre) AI campus will boast an impressive power capacity of 5 gigawatts (GW), positioning it as a regional powerhouse for AI data centres and cloud computing services.
According to the US Commerce Department, the campus will primarily serve American companies, which will operate the data centres and provide American-managed cloud services throughout the Middle East, with potential reach into countries of the Global South.
State-backed Abu Dhabi firm G42 will oversee construction of the campus. However, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick emphasized that “American companies will operate the data centres and offer American-managed cloud services throughout the region,” reflecting the deepening technological ties between the two nations.
The facility is designed with sustainability at its core. Once completed, it will be powered by a mix of nuclear, solar, and gas energy sources, aiming to minimise its carbon footprint while advancing AI innovation.
Additionally, the campus will include a science park dedicated to fostering cutting-edge AI research and development.
The unveiling of the campus accompanies the announcement of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership — a new framework that strengthens bilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
The partnership aims to enhance investment in advanced semiconductors and data infrastructure in both countries.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), described the project as “an expression of the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovation and fostering global collaboration in artificial intelligence.”
He highlighted the campus’s role in reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for sustainable development and transformative technological advancements.
Howard Lutnick also hailed the initiative as a “historic Middle Eastern partnership on AI” that aligns with US goals for maintaining global AI leadership.
He stated, “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 US AI dominance.”
The UAE has emerged as a pioneer in artificial intelligence adoption, becoming the first country to appoint a federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017.
It also established the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019 and launched a comprehensive national AI strategy the same year.
This strategy aims to integrate AI across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, transportation, and energy — cementing the UAE’s ambition to be a global AI hub.
Furthering its AI education initiatives, the UAE recently announced plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mandatory subject in public schools starting from the next academic year.
The curriculum will span from kindergarten through Grade 12, reflecting the country’s commitment to preparing future generations for a technology-driven world.
This pioneering AI campus symbolizes a historic partnership that not only strengthens US-UAE relations but also positions the Gulf country at the forefront of global AI innovation and sustainable development.
As the project moves forward, it promises to bring transformative benefits to the region and beyond, establishing a new benchmark for international collaboration in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence.