Trump and UAE launch world’s largest AI campus outside US

A massive AI campus in abu dhabi

On May 15, 2025, President Donald Trump and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced plans to build the largest AI campus outside the United States. Spanning 10 square miles in Abu Dhabi, the campus will be constructed by Emirati firm G42 and operated in partnership with several US companies.

The facility will initially operate with 1 gigawatt of data center power, eventually expanding to 5 gigawatts (enough to support over 2 million next-generation Nvidia GB200 chips).

Strategic partnerships and investments

The AI campus is part of a broader $200 billion agreement between the US and UAE, which includes a $1.4 trillion investment initiative by the UAE in the US over the next decade. The partnership also involves US companies like Qualcomm and Amazon Web Services working on AI-related projects and cybersecurity initiatives in the region.

Geopolitical considerations

This collaboration comes as the Trump administration eases previous export restrictions on AI chips to countries like the UAE. The agreement includes commitments by the UAE to align its national security regulations with the US, ensuring protections to prevent the diversion of US-origin technology.

Implications for the tech industry

The establishment of this AI campus positions the UAE as a significant player in the global AI sector and provides US companies with expanded opportunities in the Middle East. The facility aims to serve nearly half of the global population living within 2,000 miles of the UAE, offering latency-friendly services and fostering advancements in AI innovation.