OpenAI is set to assist in developing a colossal 5-gigawatt data center campus in Abu Dhabi, marking it as a primary tenant in what could become one of the largest AI infrastructure projects globally, according to Bloomberg. Spanning an impressive 10 square miles, this facility would consume power equivalent to five nuclear reactors, surpassing any existing AI infrastructure by OpenAI or competitors.
The project is a collaboration with G42, an Abu Dhabi-based tech conglomerate, under OpenAI’s Stargate initiative. This venture also involves SoftBank and Oracle to build extensive data centers worldwide equipped with advanced computer chips for AI development. While OpenAI’s U.S.-based Stargate campus in Texas aims for 1.2 gigawatts, the Abu Dhabi counterpart will exceed four times that capacity.
This development reflects growing AI ties between the U.S. and UAE, though concerns persist among lawmakers. OpenAI’s partnership with G42 began in 2023 to promote AI adoption in the Middle East. However, G42’s connections with blacklisted entities like Huawei raised U.S. official concerns about potential access to advanced technology by China’s government. Following pressure, G42 claimed to have divested from all China-related investments.
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