UAE, U.S. Ink Landmark Deal to Build World’s Largest AI Campus Outside America
- The UAE will build a 10-square-mile AI campus in Abu Dhabi with 5 gigawatts of power, making it the largest AI hub outside the U.S.
- The agreement allows the UAE to import up to 500,000 of Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips per year starting in 2025.
The United Arab Emirates and the United States have struck a major technology agreement to build the largest artificial intelligence campus outside the U.S., bypassing previous restrictions linked to Chinese influence.
Finalised during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the deal underscores shifting diplomatic and technological alliances in the Gulf.
The AI campus, to be built over a 10-square-mile area in Abu Dhabi with a 5-gigawatt capacity, is set to surpass all existing AI infrastructure announcements globally. The site, led by state-backed G42, will be operated by American companies, offering U.S.-managed cloud services across the region.
According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the scale could support up to 2.5 million of Nvidia’s top-tier B200 chips.
While Nvidia declined to comment, sources indicate the UAE may import up to 500,000 of the company’s most advanced AI chips annually starting in 2025.
The agreement reflects a major policy pivot from the Biden administration’s cautious stance. Trump’s team has relaxed AI chip export rules for trusted allies.
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“The Biden administration’s export controls were never intended to capture friends, allies, strategic partners,” said U.S. AI czar David Sacks.
The partnership includes commitments from the UAE to align national security protocols with the U.S., including safeguards against the diversion of U.S.-origin tech.
Additionally, the UAE has pledged to invest in U.S. data centres, matching the scale and power of its domestic projects.
Beyond chips, Qualcomm will establish an AI-focused engineering centre, while Amazon Web Services plans cybersecurity and cloud initiatives with local partners.
The deal marks a significant milestone in UAE-U.S. relations, enabling Abu Dhabi to deepen technological ties with Washington while maintaining its economic links with China.
Edited by Annette George
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