Abu Dhabi's Stargate to Become World's Largest AI Data Hub

Abu Dhabi is set to host the world's largest artificial intelligence data centre outside the United States, following a landmark agreement between OpenAI, G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank, and Cisco. The project, named Stargate UAE, will be situated at the newly established UAE–US AI Campus in the capital.
The Stargate UAE initiative is part of OpenAI's broader 'OpenAI for Countries' programme and represents a significant AI investment by the UAE. The first phase, a 200-megawatt deployment, is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2026. The entire facility is projected to reach a capacity of 5 gigawatts, spanning 10 square miles, making it the largest AI data centre complex outside the United States. The project will incorporate NVIDIA's most advanced Grace Blackwell GB300 AI servers, with an estimated 100,000 chips powering about 1,400 servers.
G42, a UAE-based technology holding group, will fund the construction, while OpenAI and Oracle will operate the facility. SoftBank, NVIDIA, and Cisco are also key collaborators. The initiative emerged from negotiations between the UAE and the Trump administration, which recently overturned prior chip export restrictions and approved the export of up to 500,000 AI chips annually to the UAE. In return, the UAE committed to funding comparable AI infrastructure in the U.S. through investments like MGX.
ADVERTISEMENT
As part of the agreement, the entire population of the UAE will gain access to ChatGPT Plus subscriptions, marking a global first. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the global impact of establishing the first Stargate outside the U.S., citing advancements in medicine, education, and energy. The Stargate initiative is also seen as a strategic move to serve nearby markets in Africa and India more efficiently.
The project proceeds following the rescission of previous export controls on AI chips to the UAE. The U.S. Commerce Department has committed to establishing a bilateral working group to ensure compliance with security and responsible AI infrastructure deployment standards. This collaboration aims to align international developments with U.S.-based AI systems.
The Stargate UAE project is part of a broader plan to create the world's largest AI data centre complex outside the United States, spanning 10 square miles and ultimately reaching 5 gigawatts of capacity. The facility will incorporate NVIDIA's most advanced Grace Blackwell GB300 AI servers, with an estimated 100,000 chips powering about 1,400 servers.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Khaleej Times

29 minutes ago

• Khaleej Times

Dubai targets 1,000km of dedicated cycling tracks by 2030

Dubai has always set the benchmark in many areas, and the bustling emirate is now further enhancing its reputation for healthy living and sustainable transport. Dubai, which is already boasts if 560km of cycling tracks, is aiming 1,000km of dedicated cycling tracks by 2030, the Dubai Media Office said on Sunday, June 22. The growth has been tremendous with Dubai starting off with nine kilometres of cycling tracks in 2006.

Arabian Post

34 minutes ago

• Arabian Post

ArabyAds Elevates MENA Marketing by Winning Snapchat Advanced Partner Badge

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai ArabyAds has secured the prestigious Snapchat Advanced Partner badge, marking a significant milestone that positions the UAE-based ad-tech firm at the forefront of digital innovation across the Middle East and North Africa. The designation grants the company exclusive access to Snapchat's latest tools, data analytics, and strategic support, enabling clients and creators in the region to harness full‑funnel campaign opportunities on the platform. This recognition underlines ArabyAds' deliberate investment in human capital and know‑how, rather than simply technical capability. As part of the Snapchat Advanced Partner programme, the company gains access to private training sessions, expert enablement, account‑management backing and early‑stage features like Snap's Creator Discovery API and Snap Creator Marketplace Beta. The badge also comes with visibility and credibility as Snapchat builds its ecosystem through trusted agency partnerships. ADVERTISEMENT ArabyAds Vice‑President of Digital, Ayah Reyad, emphasised that working with Snapchat has been instrumental in expanding market share and inspiring creativity, and that the advanced partner status will deepen relationships with clients and unlock new possibilities in digital storytelling. The move adds another layer to ArabyAds' portfolio of regional achievements, which include being named Marketing Platform of the Year 2023 by MMA Smarties MENA and the prior launch of their AI‑powered Household Graph for cross‑platform audience reach. Snapchat states that over 67% of users follow creators to see real, everyday moments, underlining the emphasis on authentic connection. The platform reports that 97% of users are open to brand‑sponsored creator content, and 59% have made purchases following exposure to such campaigns. This context sets the stage for ArabyAds to broker more effective creator partnerships on behalf of brands, using bespoke targeting informed by data and platform insight. The Advanced Partner badge places ArabyAds among an elite selection of regional agencies, including Publicis Groupe‑Content Practice, Creo, InHype and The Goat Agency MENA. Snap's pilot cohort benefits from direct collaboration opportunities with Snapchat teams, hands‑on enablement events and tailored access to analytics and certification from Snap Focus. A Partner Enablement Day in Dubai offered immediate immersion into platform tools and strategic best practice, reinforcing the parent company's goal to build a vibrant creator economy across the MENA region. Senior figures from other agencies in the cohort echoed Snap's confidence in ArabyAds. Timothée Desormeaux, Managing Partner and Co‑founder of Acquisit, noted that Snap values their data‑driven and measurement‑focused approach, which has helped solve complex client challenges in the region. Snap's head of agency relations in the region, Rasha El‑Ghoussaini, described the partner initiative as part of a broader strategy to support agencies amid rapid transformation across digital markets. For ArabyAds' clients, the benefits are multifaceted. The Creator Discovery API enables mapping and analysis of over 100,000 MENA creators, enabling data‑led influencer alignment. End‑to‑end ROI tracking, combined with advancement in AR and creative strategy, allows brands to build measurable campaigns that drive deeper engagement and conversions. ArabyAds is now well placed to offer clients a full‑stack solution on Snapchat: from creator identification and certification through Snap Focus, to influencer campaign activation using the Creator Marketplace, and ongoing optimisation via account management and platform insights. The firm's trajectory signals intention not only to maintain growth, but to shape what high‑impact creator collaboration looks like in the region.

Al Etihad

2 hours ago

• Al Etihad

UAE: Archer Aviation ties up with Jetex to build infra for its air taxi network

22 June 2025 18:37 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Archer Aviation, the US-based company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced a strategic partnership to develop infrastructure across Jetex's international portfolio of private terminals to support Archer's planned commercial air taxi network. In a statement, Archer said the collaboration would initially focus on Jetex's facilities in the UAE but is expected to expand across Jetex's global network of 40 private aircraft terminals in more than 30 countries. The partnership will involve designing passenger experiences, deploying charging infrastructure, and integrating Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft into daily operations at terminals serviced by founded in 2005 and headquartered in Dubai, offers a wide range of private aviation services including fixed-base operations (FBOs), ground handling, fueling, global trip planning, aircraft charter and concierge services. The company caters to corporate, commercial, and personal air travel markets and is known for its high-end service standards. 'eVTOL technology is an instrumental part of our industry, designed to transform urban mobility and shape the future of business aviation,' said Adel Mardini, Founder and CEO of Jetex. 'We are proud to work with our partners at Archer on making this ambitious vision a reality at Jetex Abu Dhabi and our other global destinations.'Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said the partnership is a key step in delivering a seamless premium air taxi experience. 'Building a beautiful, safe and high-performing aircraft is only one aspect of our business,' he noted. 'To succeed in the UAE and beyond we need to pair Midnight with strategic infrastructure that allows us to operate by delivering a premium experience for our passengers. Jetex, with its global footprint and deep expertise in luxury service, is an ideal partner.' The announcement comes as Archer advances regulatory and operational efforts in the UAE, including recent design approval for the country's first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and ongoing cooperation with Abu Dhabi Aviation.