In a significant advancement in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), the UAE is partnering with France to establish a 1 gigawatt (GW) AI data centre. This mega project will see the UAE invest billions of euros, making it the largest AI facility of its kind in Europe, according to the French presidency.

The announcement coincided with President Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Paris, where the agreement was part of a broader initiative to enhance AI collaboration between the Emirati leader and French President Emmanuel Macron. A joint statement from both leaders highlighted their commitment to forming a strategic partnership in the AI sector and exploring collaborative projects and investments that would bolster the development of the AI value chain.

The planned AI data centres will not only store vast amounts of data but will also provide the substantial energy required for emerging AI technologies. The UAE-France agreement was formalized as global experts convened in Paris to discuss both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, just ahead of a summit focused on this rapidly advancing technology.

According to the French presidency, this AI campus will represent investments ranging from 30 to 50 billion euros and will be the central hub for developing AI initiatives. The agreement specifies that investments will be directed towards both Emirati and French AI projects. As per the UAE Government’s statement released through the state-run news agency WAM, the 1GW AI Campus will be constructed in France.

The French government has already identified 35 potential sites for hosting these AI data centres. The first announcements regarding investments are anticipated to be made at the upcoming Choose France summit later this year. This collaboration underscores the “strength and dynamism” of the relationship between the UAE and France, with both nations eager to closely monitor the progress of their AI cooperation projects.

The summit, scheduled for February 10-11, aims to position France and Europe as significant players in the AI landscape, competing against leading nations like the US and China in this energy-intensive technology sector. Thousands of participants are expected to gather in Paris to discuss how AI has impacted various business sectors in a short span of two years and to ensure that France and Europe remain credible contenders in the evolving AI race.