UAE and US Strike Landmark Deal to Build Largest AI Campus Outside America
In a move reshaping global AI power dynamics, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States have signed a historic agreement. The deal enables the UAE to build the largest artificial intelligence campus outside the US, easing prior export restrictions tied to national security and China.
This AI campus, covering 10 square miles in Abu Dhabi, will feature a staggering 5 gigawatts of power—enough to support up to 2.5 million Nvidia B200 AI chips, according to expert estimates. The UAE will also gain access to 500,000 of Nvidia’s top AI chips annually, beginning in 2025.
AI Infrastructure With US Oversight
Central to the agreement is American oversight. US firms will operate and manage the data centres, ensuring strict control over technology use and alignment with US security protocols. The White House confirmed the UAE’s commitment to matching US data centre scale and standards in future investments.
G42, a state-backed Emirati firm, will construct the facility. However, operational control will stay with American companies, including Amazon Web Services and Qualcomm, which are also partnering on regional cybersecurity and AI development.
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This model blends Gulf investment with US expertise, offering high-performance compute and cloud services across the region, while meeting evolving compliance needs.
Easing Tensions, Enhancing Access
Previously, concerns over Chinese access to US chip technology blocked UAE’s ambitions. Under the Biden administration, export controls were strict. But this new agreement reflects a shift under President Trump, who is easing such limits for trusted partners.
The UAE had to make changes—divesting from Chinese tech and strengthening compliance safeguards. In return, it now enjoys a more open pathway to advanced US technology. Experts say the UAE is not abandoning China but realigning its tech strategy to prioritize secure AI infrastructure.
