Next-gen AI infrastructure in Abu Dhabi
A consortium of global tech leaders, including OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank Group, Cisco, and UAE-based G42, has unveiled plans to build Stargate UAE, a next-generation AI infrastructure based in Abu Dhabi. The facility is expected to revolutionise the global AI landscape and be part of the newly announced UAE-US AI Campus.
Stargate UAE represents a major technological leap, forming the foundation for scalable and trusted artificial intelligence. Spearheaded by G42 and operated by OpenAI and Oracle, the project also sees contributions from Cisco, which will deliver secure, AI-ready connectivity, and Nvidia, which will provide its cutting-edge Grace Blackwell GB300 systems. SoftBank Group supports the international initiative, emphasising its commitment to advancing global AI capabilities.
Set to launch its first 200-megawatt AI cluster in 2026, Stargate UAE will eventually scale to a full 1-gigawatt compute capacity. The project forms part of a broader 5-gigawatt data centre complex spanning ten square miles, making it the largest AI infrastructure campus outside the United States. The site will be powered by a sustainable energy mix of nuclear, solar and natural gas, aligning technological innovation with environmental responsibility.
Announced in the presence of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Donald J. Trump, the UAE–US AI Campus marks a new era of bilateral cooperation.
The initiative builds upon the “US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership,” a framework for jointly developing safe, secure and ethically guided AI technologies. The agreement will also see the UAE significantly increase investment in digital infrastructure within the United States, including projects like Stargate US, under the “America First Investment Policy.”
The significance of Stargate UAE extends beyond infrastructure. It promises to accelerate scientific discovery, enhance productivity and stimulate innovation across key sectors such as healthcare, energy, finance and transportation. Its low-latency inferencing and high-volume compute capabilities are designed to meet the growing global demand for sophisticated AI solutions.
G42’s Group CEO, Peng Xiao, described Stargate UAE as a pivotal step in the AI partnership between the two nations. “This initiative is about building a bridge — rooted in trust and ambition — that helps bring the benefits of AI to economies, societies and people around the world,” he said.
Sam Altman, Co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, highlighted the project’s global importance. “By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the U.S. in the UAE, we’re transforming a bold vision into reality,” he stated. “This is the first major milestone in our OpenAI for Countries initiative — our effort to work with allies and partners to build AI infrastructure worldwide.”
Oracle’s Chairman and CTO, Larry Ellison, reinforced the importance of national sovereignty in digital infrastructure. “This first-in-the-world platform will enable every UAE government agency and commercial institution to connect their data to the world’s most advanced AI models,” he said. “This landmark deployment sets a new standard for digital sovereignty.”
Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of Nvidia, focused on the transformative power of AI. “With Stargate UAE, we are building the AI infrastructure to power the country’s bold vision — to empower its people, grow its economy and shape its future,” he noted.
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, called the UAE’s adoption of Stargate a testament to global ambition. “Bold investments, trusted partnerships and national ambition can create a more connected, joyful and empowered world,” he commented.
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, stressed the importance of secure and intelligent connectivity. “By embedding our secure AI-optimised networking fabric for this international deployment, we’re building smart, secure and energy efficient networks that will turn intelligence into impact at a global scale,” he said.
Image: Stargate UAE stakeholders pose for a group photo. Credit: G42
