The United Arab Emirates has signed a groundbreaking agreement with the United States to build the largest artificial intelligence (AI) campus outside of America, marking a significant shift in international tech collaboration. The deal, finalized during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Abu Dhabi, grants the UAE access to advanced Nvidia AI chips and eases previous restrictions driven by concerns over Chinese access to sensitive U.S. technology, reports Reuters.
The 10-square-mile AI campus, to be constructed in Abu Dhabi by UAE-backed tech firm G42, will have a 5-gigawatt capacity—enough to support approximately 2.5 million of Nvidia’s top-tier B200 chips, according to U.S. officials. The data centers will be operated by American companies to ensure compliance with U.S. security protocols, reflecting a broader confidence in the UAE’s alignment with American regulatory standards.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was seen in televised coverage alongside Trump and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signaling strong private-sector involvement. The agreement permits the UAE to import up to 500,000 Nvidia AI chips annually beginning in 2025.
“This is the largest and most advanced AI infrastructure project outside the U.S.,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, noting that additional partnerships involve Qualcomm and Amazon Web Services to establish engineering and cybersecurity operations in the region.
Under previous U.S. administrations, especially during President Joe Biden’s term, the UAE faced obstacles accessing advanced semiconductors due to its close ties with China. However, Trump’s AI adviser David Sacks recently emphasized that export controls “were never intended to capture friends, allies, and strategic partners.”
The agreement also includes commitments from the UAE to invest in comparable U.S.-based data centers and implement national security laws in line with U.S. standards. G42, under U.S. pressure, has begun removing Chinese hardware and divesting from Chinese-linked investments.
Experts view the deal as a strategic recalibration rather than a rejection of China. “This move allows the UAE to deepen ties with the U.S. without severing trade links with China,” said Mohammed Soliman of the Middle East Institute.
AI was high on the agenda during Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to Washington in late 2024. The UAE has invested in U.S.-based AI companies like OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, and last year Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42.
The partnership cements the UAE’s growing role as a global AI hub, positioning it at the heart of a new U.S.-led technology alignment while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
