A Historic Partnership for AI Advancement
In a groundbreaking move for artificial intelligence and international collaboration, a consortium of tech giants—G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank Group, and Cisco—has announced their partnership to create **Stargate UAE**. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the realm of AI infrastructure, set to be housed within the newly established **5-gigawatt UAE–U.S. AI Campus** in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize how AI is developed and deployed, not just in the UAE but globally.
The Structure of Stargate UAE
At the heart of this initiative is **Stargate UAE**, a **1-gigawatt compute cluster** that will be constructed by G42 and operated in collaboration with OpenAI and Oracle. This cluster is designed to provide cutting-edge infrastructure capable of handling the demands of modern AI applications. Cisco will contribute its expertise in zero-trust security and AI-ready connectivity, while NVIDIA will supply the latest **NVIDIA Grace Blackwell GB300 systems**. The facility promises to deliver nation-scale compute capabilities and low-latency inferencing, essential for meeting the needs of an increasingly intelligent world. The first phase, a **200-megawatt AI cluster**, is expected to go live by **2026**.
### Accelerating Innovation Across Industries
Stargate UAE is not just about computing power; it lays the groundwork for scalable and trusted AI solutions. The facility is poised to accelerate scientific discovery and drive innovation across various sectors, including healthcare, energy, finance, and transportation. This initiative is expected to fuel economic growth and contribute to national development, showcasing the UAE’s commitment to becoming a leader in AI technology.
### A Framework for International Collaboration
The launch of Stargate UAE aligns with the newly established **U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership**, aimed at enhancing cooperation in AI and advanced technologies. This framework emphasizes the development of safe, secure, and responsible AI that delivers long-term benefits for humanity. As part of this partnership, UAE entities will also increase their investments in digital infrastructure in the U.S., including projects like **Stargate U.S.**, in accordance with the recently announced **America First Investment Policy**.
### A Massive Infrastructure Deployment
Spanning an impressive **10 square miles**, the UAE–U.S. AI infrastructure campus is set to be the largest of its kind outside the United States. It will provide a staggering **5 gigawatts** of AI data center capacity and regional compute resources. The facility will utilize a mix of nuclear, solar, and natural gas energy sources to minimize carbon emissions, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices. Additionally, it will feature a science park dedicated to fostering innovation, talent development, and sustainable computing infrastructure.
### Voices from the Leaders
**Peng Xiao**, Group CEO of G42, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “The launch of Stargate UAE is a significant step in the UAE–U.S. AI partnership. 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.”
**Sam Altman**, Co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, highlighted the global implications of the project: “By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the U.S. in the UAE, we’re transforming a bold vision into reality. This is the first major milestone in our OpenAI for Countries initiative—our effort to work with allies and partners to build AI infrastructure around the world.”
**Larry Ellison**, CTO and Chairman of Oracle, emphasized the significance of digital sovereignty, stating, “Stargate pairs Oracle’s AI-optimized cloud with nation-scale sovereign infrastructure. This landmark deployment sets a new standard for digital sovereignty and demonstrates how nation states can harness the power of the most important technology in the history of humankind.”
**Jensen Huang**, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, remarked on the transformative potential of AI: “AI is the most transformative force of our time. 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.”
**Masayoshi Son**, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, noted the global nature of this initiative: “Now, the UAE becomes the first nation beyond America to embrace this sovereign AI platform, proving the global nature of this vision. Bold investments, trusted partnerships, and national ambition can create a more connected, more joyful, and more empowered world.”
**Chuck Robbins**, Chair and CEO of Cisco, added, “Cisco is proud to join Stargate UAE to advance groundbreaking AI innovation in the UAE and around the world. By embedding our secure AI-optimized networking fabric for this international deployment, we’re building smart, secure, and energy-efficient networks that will turn intelligence into impact at global scale.”
### The Future of AI in the UAE
The Stargate UAE initiative represents a monumental leap in the global AI landscape, positioning the UAE as a pivotal player in the development and deployment of advanced technologies. With a focus on collaboration, sustainability, and innovation, this project is set to redefine the future of AI, making it accessible and beneficial for societies around the world.
