The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US have signed a deal for the former country to build one of the largest AI campuses outside the US. The US previously restricted this deal due to concerns that China could have access to the technology. 

The US Department of Commerce states that the UAE-US AI campus will have a capacity of 5GW for AI data centres located in Abu Dhabi, establishing a regional platform that enables US hyperscalers to offer low-latency services to nearly half of the world’s population residing within 3,200 km of the UAE.

Upon completion, the facility will utilise nuclear, solar, and gas energy to reduce carbon emissions and include a science park to foster advancements in AI innovation.

The UAE also seeks to protect its advanced AI technologies by enforcing strict measures to prevent unauthorised access and ensure regulated technology use. The two countries will collaborate to improve Know-Your-Customer procedures to manage access to computing resources designated for US hyperscalers and authorised cloud service providers.

US Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick said, “[The agreement] promotes major investment in advanced semiconductors and data centres across the U.S. and the UAE.  American companies will operate the data centres in the UAE and offer American-managed cloud services throughout the region. The agreement also contains strong security guarantees to prevent diversion of US technology.”

As stated by the White House, the US will promote enhanced technological collaboration with the UAE, which includes initiating a 1GW AI data centre as a part of a proposed AI technology hub.  

This initiative aims to address regional computational needs while adhering to strict US security protocols and implementing measures for the responsible deployment of AI infrastructure, both within the UAE and globally.

Sources indicated that this development would enhance the Gulf nation’s access to sophisticated AI chips, as reported by Reuters.  The news agency noted that NVIDIA’s Chief Executive, Jensen Huang, was seen in televised coverage on Thursday discussing matters with US President Donald Trump and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On Thursday, The Washington Post cited anonymous sources as saying that OpenAI engaged in detailed discussions with two leading companies in the UAE, G42 and MGX, regarding a significant deal that would allow the San Francisco-based firm to set up data centres and advance its technology within the nation. In exchange, OpenAI would receive fresh investments that would facilitate the establishment of US data centres in collaboration with a group of partners.

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