UAE Redesigns $30 Billion AI Data Centre Project
United Arab Emirates Revises Plans for a Massive AI Infrastructure Project, Moving From One Large Campus Toward a More Distributed and Resilient Network.
The United Arab Emirates is revising plans for a massive artificial intelligence data-centre project following security concerns linked to recent regional attacks, according to people familiar with the matter. The project, originally envisioned as a huge campus in Abu Dhabi, is now expected to be developed as a network of facilities spread across the UAE.
The planned infrastructure forms part of the UAE’s broader ambition to establish itself as a major global centre for artificial intelligence. The project is associated with the Stargate initiative and involves UAE-based AI company G42 alongside major US technology companies including OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia and Cisco.
The redesigned approach is intended to improve the resilience of critical AI infrastructure. Reports indicate that authorities are considering stronger protective measures and different construction approaches as they assess how best to safeguard facilities against potential threats while maintaining the project’s large computing capacity.
The project is expected to involve billions of dollars in investment and substantial computing capacity. Its first phase, known as Stargate UAE, began construction with an initial target of bringing 200 megawatts of capacity online in 2026, while the broader project is planned to reach several gigawatts.
G42 said the project’s details remain subject to ongoing review according to the security and operational standards required for infrastructure of this scale, while OpenAI said it was making progress with the UAE on its AI ambitions. The redesign could affect the project’s construction costs and timeline, although the final blueprint has not yet been announced.
