The UAE and the United States have signed an agreement to establish the largest artificial intelligence campus outside the United States. This new campus, with a capacity of 5 gigawatts for AI data centres, was announced during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UAE, which is part of a three-country tour that also includes Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Located in Abu Dhabi, the campus will accommodate American companies that can provide regional computing services, with the aim of serving countries in the Global South. The 10 square mile (25.9 square kilometre) campus will be developed by G42, a firm backed by the Abu Dhabi government. According to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, American companies will manage the data centres and offer cloud services across the region.

The campus will utilize nuclear, solar, and gas power to minimize its carbon footprint and will feature a science park dedicated to advancements in AI innovation. This initiative follows the announcement of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which is designed to enhance cooperation and collaboration in AI and advanced technologies between the two nations.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), stated that the campus symbolizes the ongoing partnership between the UAE and the US in artificial intelligence. He expressed that this project reflects the UAE’s dedication to innovation and global collaboration in AI, solidifying its status as a hub for advanced research and sustainable development.

Lutnick remarked that the establishment of the campus marks the beginning of a historic partnership in AI between the two countries, facilitating significant investments in advanced semiconductors and data centres in both the US and the UAE. He emphasized that American companies will manage the data centres, offering cloud services throughout the region, which aligns with President Trump’s vision for US AI leadership.

The UAE has been a leader in promoting AI adoption across commercial and governmental sectors. In 2017, it became the first nation to appoint a federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence and launched the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019. The country has also initiated a national AI strategy aimed at integrating AI into key sectors such as education, healthcare, transportation, and energy.

In a recent development, the UAE announced that it will introduce ‘Artificial Intelligence’ as a subject in public schools starting next academic year, offering it from kindergarten through Grade 12 across all government educational stages.