Mega project from Openaai: Development of one of the world's largest AI data center in the VAE
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Published on: May 19, 2025 / update from: May 19, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Mega project by Openaai: Development of one of the world's largest AI data center in the VAE-Image: Xpert.digital
Strategic technology location: Openai invests in Abu Dhabi
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An important step in the technological landscape is emerging on the horizon: Openai plans the construction of a gigantic AI data center in Abu Dhabi, which should be among the largest in the world. With a planned capacity of 5 gigawatts on an area of around 26 square kilometers, this system is intended to set new standards in the global AI infrastructure and consolidate the strategic position of the United Arab Emirates (VAE) as an emerging technology location. This development is part of a series of cooperations between western technology companies and the oil -rich golf states, which are increasingly looking for their economic future beyond fossil fuels.
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The gigantic data center in Abu Dhabi
Openais planned system in Abu Dhabi is to be equipped with an impressive performance capacity of 5 gigawatts, which corresponds to the energy requirement of around five nuclear power plants. This monumental infrastructure would extend over an area of around 26 square kilometers - a technological oasis in the middle of the desert landscape, which would even surpass the state of Monaco in terms of area.
The planned facility is part of a cooperation between Openaai and the technology company G42 based in Abu Dhabi, which maintains close connections to the government of the United Arab Emirates. Bloomberg reports that Openai is one of the primary anchor tenants for this data center campus, with an official announcement expected shortly. The participation of the AI company has not yet been finally clarified, but the project is already the focus of intensive discussions between US and Emiratic government officials.
The sheer size of the project is particularly evident in comparison: While the first Stargate data center in Texas is planned with an output of 1.2 gigawatts, the system in the VAE would more than quadruple. This underlines the meaning that the Openai and its partners attach to this project.
Technical specifications and infrastructure
The technical infrastructure of the data center should be aimed at the enormous requirements of modern AI applications. The construction is managed by G42 and is intended to start with a 1 gigawatt data center, which would accommodate 500,000 of the most modern Nvidia processors alone. This impressive collection of computing power reflects the exponentially growing need for computer capacity for training and the operation of advanced AI models.
The Stargate Initiative: Openais Global Strategy
The planned data center in Abu Dhabi is not an isolated project, but is part of the ambitious “Stargate” initiative from Openaai. This global infrastructure program was announced in January 2025 and provides for a total of $ 500 billion over a period of four years. The aim is to set up a global network structure of high-performance computing centers, which is intended to serve as the basis for the next generation of AI applications.
The initiative started with a first investment of $ 100 billion for a data center in Abilene, Texas. The significantly larger facility in the VAE illustrates how quickly Openaai drives its global ambitions. The Stargate Initiative is financed and implemented by a consortium, which in addition to Openaai as a financial partner, Oracle as an infrastructure partner and MGX as an emiratic investment vehicle.
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Openai for Countries
As part of the Stargate Initiative, Openai recently launched the “Openaai for Countries” program. This program aims to establish partnerships with governments worldwide to build local AI infrastructures based on democratic principles. In the context of these partnerships, Openaai promises to help with the construction of data centers, to provide tailor-made chatt versions for the respective countries, further develop security controls for AI models and to establish local start-up funds.
This initiative can be understood as a strategic alternative to authoritarian AI developments and is intended to offer countries an alternative based on democratic principles. The partnership with the VAE seems to be a first concrete step in this global strategy.
Strategic partnerships and investments
The relationship between Openaai and the VAE has a history. As early as 2023, Openaai received a partnership with the AI company G42 based in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration was supported by a significant investment of $ 1.5 billion from Microsoft, one of Openaai's main investors. Another sign of the close connection between Openaai and the VAE is the participation of the Emiratic investment vehicle MGX in a recent round of financing from Openaai.
G42, led by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the national security consultant of the VAE and brother of the head of state, plays a central role in this partnership. The company has positioned itself as an important player in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years and has important connections to the government of the VAE.
The role of Microsoft and other partners
Microsoft has consolidated its position in this network through the significant investment of $ 1.5 billion in G42. Brad Smith, the President of Microsoft, has also entered the G42 board of directors. This narrow integration between Microsoft, Openai and G42 underlines the strategic importance of the region for the global AI ambitions of the companies involved.
In addition to Microsoft, other well -known technology companies such as Softbank and Oracle are also involved in the implementation of the project. Softbank founder Masayoshi Son has been appointed chairman of the Stargate project, while Oracle acts as an important infrastructure partner. This broad coalition of technology giants illustrates the massive economic and strategic interest in the development of global AI infrastructures.
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Geopolitical dimension and US emiratic cooperation
The development of the data center in Abu Dhabi takes place in the context of a more comprehensive cooperation between the USA and the VAE in the field of artificial intelligence. On May 16, 2025, the two countries signed an agreement that enables the VAE to build the largest AI campus outside the United States. This agreement was announced during the visit by US President Donald Trump in the VAE.
The Trump administration has loosened the export restrictions for high-performance chips established under the previous government and instead relies on bilateral agreements with individual countries. The VAE seem to be the first country that benefits from this new policy. US trade minister Howard Lutnick described the agreement as "important milestone on the way to the realization of President Trump's vision of a US ACI dominance".
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Geopolitical concerns and security aspects
However, the cooperation between Openaai and G42 is not undisputed. In the United States, concerns were made that G42 could be a gateway for Chinese technology transfer. The background to the company is to Chinese companies such as Huawei and the Beijing Genomics Institute that like US sanctions lists.
In response to the political pressure, G42 announced a strategic realignment in early 2024: CEO PENG XIAO said that all previous Chinese investments had been given up and that there was no longer a physical presence in China. The VAE also committed to "protect advanced AI technologies by implementing strict measures to prevent diversions and ensuring controlled access to technology".
Economic and strategic importance
For Openai, the construction of the data center in Abu Dhabi is a decisive expansion of its infrastructure, which is necessary to keep up with the exponential growth of computing power for AI models. The availability of sufficient computing capacities has become a critical factor for the further development of AI technologies, and companies like Openaai are looking for opportunities to expand their capacities worldwide.
The VAE, in turn, see the project an opportunity to establish themselves as a leading location for AI technology and to diversify their economic basis beyond the traditional oil industry. Dubai has already established itself as a center for aspiring technologies such as cryptocurrencies and meta -verses, and the introduction of a free zone in Ras al Khaimah especially for companies in the field of digital and virtual assets, blockchain, web3 and AI underlines this development path.
Computing power as a strategic resource
The Stargate project shows that computing power is increasingly becoming a strategic resource, similar to oil or other natural resources. Anyone who controls the data centers in which AI models are trained has a decisive influence on the development of this technology. The VAE try to secure a beneficial position in this race by making massive investments in the corresponding infrastructure.
For Openai, access to this infrastructure means a reduction in the dependency on external suppliers such as Nvidia, the current world market leader in semiconductor technology. Control over your own infrastructure could enable Openai to become more independent and more flexible in the development of your AI models.
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Meaning for the global AI landscape
The planned data center in Abu Dhabi could mark a turning point in the global AI landscape. The sheer size and performance of the system would make Abu Dhabi a central node for AI development and could shift the balance in the AI world previously dominated by the USA and China.
The Stargate Initiative and the “Openai for Countries” program indicate that Openai wants to play a leading role in the design of the global AI infrastructure. Cooperation with governments worldwide could help promote a democratic approach to AI development and at the same time strengthen the position of Openaai as a leading company in this area.
The development in Abu Dhabi also illustrates the increasing interweaving of technology, politics and business. The boundaries between these areas are increasingly blurred, and companies like Openaai play an increasingly important role in the design of international relationships and economic structures.
Technology, politics and power: the global meaning of Openais data center
Openai's plans for a gigantic AI data center in Abu Dhabi mark an important step in the global development of AI infrastructures. With a planned performance of 5 gigawatts on an area of 26 square kilometers, this system would set new standards and strengthen the position of the VAE as an emerging center for technology and innovation.
The collaboration between Openai, G42 and other partners such as Microsoft, Softbank and Oracle illustrates the complex networks that develop in the field of AI technology. At the same time, the project raises questions about the geopolitical dimension of AI infrastructures and illustrates the increasing importance of computing power as a strategic resource.
At a time when the boundaries between technology, politics and the economy are increasingly blurred, the data center in Abu Dhabi could become a symbol for the reorganization of the global technology landscape. It remains to be seen whether the project is developing into a showcase project for international cooperation or causing new geopolitical tensions - however, the ambitions and the scope of the project are undisputed.
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