In the global race for leadership in artificial intelligence, the United Arab Emirates is making a colossal bet. On May 15-16, 2025, global media reported the signing of a landmark agreement between the UAE and the US, paving the way for the creation of one of the worlds largest campuses dedicated entirely to AI development within the Emirates. This Mega AI Campus Project in the UAE, according to some reports, could reach a capacity of up to 5 gigawatts (with the first phase at 1 GW) and will span an area of 25 square kilometers in Abu Dhabi, promising to become a true magnet for talent and innovation from around the globe.
A key aspect of this ambitious endeavor is deep technological partnership with US companies. A special role is assigned to chipmaker Nvidia, which will reportedly supply hundreds of thousands of its most advanced AI accelerators to equip the campuss data centers. There is talk of potential annual imports of up to 500,000 of Nvidias latest chips, starting in 2025. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly participated personally in discussing the details of this collaboration, underscoring its strategic importance. The use of cutting-edge American AI technologies and chips will form the foundation for research and development at the new campus.
The project is not limited to just hardware supplies. The agreement also provides for the creation of a robust system for managing and operating these advanced technologies, with reports suggesting that data center management may be entrusted to US companies to ensure security and compliance with international standards. This demonstrates the UAEs aspiration not just to accumulate computing power, but to build a long-term and sustainable AI ecosystem. It is also expected that other major US technology companies, including leading cloud providers, will participate in the campuss operations.
The projects goals are most ambitious: to transform the UAE into a leading global center for artificial intelligence, attract the best minds, stimulate the development of proprietary AI solutions, and promote the digital transformation of the countrys economy and the entire region. This Mega AI Campus Project in the UAE is a prime example of how Gulf countries, traditionally known for their energy resources, are actively investing in future technologies, seeking to diversify their economies and take leading positions in the new technological era. The creation of such powerful AI infrastructure will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the global artificial intelligence landscape.