Abu Dhabi to Host World's Largest AI Campus in $200B US-UAE Tech Pact

A $200 Billion Strategic Partnership

The announcement was made during a high-profile visit to the Middle East by U.S. President Donald Trump, who emphasized the significance of the deal:

"This partnership marks a new era of technological collaboration between our nations," said President Trump.

The agreement includes the export of 500,000 Nvidia H100 AI chips to the UAE starting in 2025, a move that required the U.S. to ease previous export restrictions.

The signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company. Their presence underscores the importance of the collaboration between U.S. and UAE entities in advancing AI technologies.

Microsoft has also played a significant role, investing $1.5 billion in G42 and securing a board seat. Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, stated:

"Our investment in G42 will enhance the UAE’s position as a leading AI hub and provide digital infrastructure and services to help underserved nations innovate and grow."

Infrastructure and Security Measures

The AI campus will initially operate with 1 gigawatt (GW) of data center power, with plans to expand to 5 GW, supporting over 2 million next-generation Nvidia GB200 chips. To address security concerns, the UAE has implemented stringent measures, including the use of hardware exclusively from Western nations and the exclusion of Chinese nationals from working at the data centers.

"To put the new 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi into perspective, it would support up to 2.5 million Nvidia B200s. That's bigger than all other major AI infrastructure announcements we've seen so far," wrote Lennart Heim, an associate information scientist at the Rand Corporation think tank.

This ambitious project aligns with the UAE's National AI Strategy 2031, aiming to position the country as a global leader in AI. The collaboration with U.S. tech giants and the substantial investment highlight the UAE's commitment to diversifying its economy and fostering innovation.