In a groundbreaking move that’s shaking up the AI landscape, the United States and Abu Dhabi have inked a deal to build the largest artificial intelligence data center outside American borders. The massive project, spanning roughly 10 square miles, will boast a whopping 5 gigawatts of power capacity. That’s not just big – it’s absolutely enormous. The facility requires extensive quantum cooling systems to maintain optimal operational temperatures, similar to current quantum computing facilities.
The deal’s centerpiece? A sweet arrangement allowing the UAE to import 500,000 advanced Nvidia AI chips annually. Talk about playing with the big boys. The agreement, dubbed the “US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership,” puts Abu Dhabi squarely in the global AI race alongside heavyweights like the U.S. and China.
Emirati firm G42 is taking the reins on construction, partnering with several unnamed U.S. companies. Phase one kicks off with a 1-gigawatt data center. Because why start small when you can go big? The facility will serve as a launchpad for American cloud services in the Middle East, proving that Silicon Valley’s reach knows no bounds. The campus’s strategic location allows it to serve nearly half the global population within a 3,200-kilometer radius.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic, with the announcement coming during President Trump’s Middle East tour. The whole package, including various other deals, totals over $200 billion. Even Etihad Airways got in on the action, dropping $14.5 billion on Boeing aircraft. The UAE has committed to invest $1.4 trillion in the U.S. over the next decade. Money talks, and in this case, it’s shouting.
Security concerns? They’ve got it covered. The agreement includes robust guarantees to prevent any funny business with U.S. technology. American companies will operate the data centers, keeping a tight grip on their precious tech. It’s like having a high-tech bouncer at the world’s most exclusive AI club.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s presence at the revelation sends a clear message: the Gulf isn’t just about oil anymore. They’re betting big on silicon and algorithms, transforming from desert powerhouse to digital dynamo.
And with this partnership, they’re proving that in the AI world, there’s plenty of room for new players – as long as they’ve got the chips to back it up.
