The summit between Mohamed bin Zayed and Donald Trump inaugurates the first phase of the largest artificial intelligence campus outside the United States
In an unprecedented event held at Qasr Al Watan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and former U.S. President Donald J. Trump presided over the official presentation of Phase 1 of the new 5 gigawatt (GW) artificial intelligence (AI) megacampus to be built in Abu Dhabi. This strategic technological alliance marks a milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries and lays the groundwork for the largest deployment of AI infrastructure outside U.S. territory.
The project, covering over 25 square kilometers in the Emirate, will be led by Emirati conglomerate G42 in collaboration with U.S. technology partners. The campus will house high-performance data centers capable of operations for U.S. hyperscalers and large enterprises, enabling services in the region with low latency, reaching nearly half of the world’s population within a 3,200-kilometer radius.
A New Framework for Global Technological Cooperation
This initiative arises under the umbrella of the “U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Agreement”, a new collaboration framework signed between the governments of both countries to promote joint development in artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, and critical technologies. The facility, powered by nuclear, solar, and gas energy, is designed with sustainability criteria and will also include a science park aimed at fostering innovation in AI.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick described the agreement as “a historic partnership on AI in the Middle East,” emphasizing its strategic importance for both the tech industry and U.S. geopolitical interests. “American companies will operate the data centers in the UAE, ensuring technological sovereignty and the security of the American tech stack,” Lutnick noted.
Security and Control in Technology Use
One of the key pillars of this alliance is the implementation of strict security protocols. Both countries have agreed to strengthen access controls to computational resources through enhanced KYC (Know Your Customer) measures. Access will be restricted exclusively to U.S. hyperscalers and authorized cloud providers, ensuring that advanced capabilities are not diverted to unauthorized uses.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the UAE Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), highlighted that “the agreement reflects the UAE’s commitment to responsible innovation and global collaboration,” positioning the country as a central player in international technological transformation.
UAE Reinforces Its Role as a Global AI Hub
This ambitious initiative aligns with the UAE’s national AI strategy launched in 2017, through which the country aims to become a global reference in the use of artificial intelligence in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, energy, and transportation. With pioneering milestones like the establishment of the world’s first Federal AI Ministry and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the UAE has consolidated a long-term vision that today translates into multimillion-dollar investments and regional leadership.
The new AI city emerging in Abu Dhabi is envisioned as a central computing node for the Global South, allowing emerging countries access to AI capabilities from a technologically controlled environment politically aligned with Washington.
In a world increasingly defined by the technological race, this agreement reinforces the U.S. strategy to secure its dominance in AI through key alliances. Meanwhile, the UAE accelerates its positioning as a technological bridge between the West and the East.
Source: Commerce.gov