Brookfield and Qatar form $20 billion joint venture to build AI infrastructure across Middle East

Brookfield and Qatar Launch Massive AI Infrastructure Partnership

Brookfield Asset Management has joined forces with Qai, an artificial intelligence company owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, to establish a $20 billion joint venture dedicated to building AI infrastructure 1

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. The partnership represents one of the most significant investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure outside the United States and China, signaling the Gulf region's determination to compete in the global AI race.

The collaboration comes as Qatar's $500 billion sovereign wealth fund announced the creation of Qai as its national AI company, following similar moves by regional competitors including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia . This strategic positioning reflects how Gulf nations are leveraging their financial resources to establish themselves as alternative tech powerhouses in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Building a Leading AI Hub Through High-Performance Computing

The $20 billion joint venture plans to create an Integrated Compute centre designed to expand regional access to high-performance computing capabilities 1

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. This infrastructure will be critical for processing the massive amounts of data required for AI applications, positioning Qatar as a leading AI hub in the Middle East. The facility will serve as a cornerstone for the region's ambitions to attract AI companies and researchers seeking alternatives to established centers in North America and Asia.

Brookfield and Qai will invest in AI infrastructure initially focused on Qatar, while also exploring opportunities to co-develop and construct facilities in select international markets 2

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. This approach allows for both concentrated development in the Gulf region and strategic expansion into markets where demand for computing resources is growing rapidly.

Massive Global Investment Wave in Data Centers

The partnership arrives at a critical moment for the tech industry, as AI applications drive unprecedented demand for physical infrastructure. A McKinsey report from April estimated that a $5.2 trillion investment in data centers will be needed by 2030 to meet worldwide demand for AI alone 1

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. This staggering figure underscores why major financial players like Brookfield are committing substantial capital to large-scale infrastructure development in this sector.

Brookfield will invest in the joint venture through its recently launched Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Fund, which aims to deploy up to $100 billion globally 1

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. This broader fund strategy indicates that the Qatar partnership is just one component of Brookfield's aggressive push into AI infrastructure investment across multiple geographies.

Strategic Vision Meets Infrastructure Expertise

Brookfield chief executive Bruce Flatt emphasized that the partnership combines Qatar's strategic vision with Brookfield's global expertise in developing and operating large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure with global partners 2

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. This co-development model leverages Qatar's financial backing and regional influence alongside Brookfield's proven track record in managing complex infrastructure projects.

The artificial intelligence infrastructure sector is attracting massive investment from both software companies and infrastructure specialists, as the physical backbone required for AI computation becomes increasingly valuable. For businesses and researchers in the Middle East, this partnership could significantly reduce latency and improve access to computing resources that have traditionally been concentrated in Western markets. The success of this venture may determine whether Qatar can establish itself as a genuine alternative to established AI centers, or if it will struggle to attract the talent and customers needed to justify such substantial investment.