UAE-based tech giant G42 will spearhead a consortium of US companies to construct a massive 5GW AI data centre campus in Abu Dhabi, under a landmark agreement between the US and UAE governments aimed at bolstering AI infrastructure domestically and globally. The ambitious project is part of the “US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership,” unveiled during US President Donald Trump’s recent state visit to the UAE alongside UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The new AI campus will cover an expansive 10 square miles and is designed to serve as a regional hub offering low-latency services to nearly half of the global population residing within 3,200 km of the UAE. It will leverage a mix of nuclear, solar, and gas power to reduce carbon emissions, emphasizing sustainability alongside technological advancement. The campus will also include a science park dedicated to accelerating AI innovation.
Although financial details and the overall timeline have not been disclosed, the US Commerce Department confirmed that construction has already started on the first phase, featuring a 1GW IT load capacity. Once fully completed, the facility will be the largest AI-specific data centre outside of the US.
According to Bloomberg, OpenAI—the creator of ChatGPT—is expected to be one of the primary anchor tenants. Additional reports from CNBC suggest major US tech firms such as Nvidia, Cisco, and Oracle will support the project, though these companies have yet to publicly confirm their involvement.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), hailed the agreement as a testament to the UAE’s commitment to innovation and global AI collaboration. “This partnership strengthens the UAE’s position as a hub for cutting-edge research and sustainable development, delivering transformative benefits for humanity,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision to become the world’s first fully automated AI-native government by 2027, supported by the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027 and a US$3.54 billion investment in digital infrastructure. Recently, the Department of Government Enablement signed agreements with Microsoft and Core42 (a G42 subsidiary focused on sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure) to develop a high-performance sovereign cloud computing environment capable of managing over 11 million daily digital interactions among government entities, residents, and businesses.
From the US perspective, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick underscored the deal’s strategic importance for maintaining American technological dominance in AI. “American companies will operate the data centres and offer US-managed cloud services throughout the region, with strong security guarantees to prevent technology diversion,” Lutnick stated. “This agreement marks a major milestone in achieving President Trump’s vision for US AI leadership.”
