OpenAI Plans Massive Data Center in UAE, Expanding Global AI Infrastructure
7 Sources
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OpenAI may build data centers in the UAE | TechCrunch
OpenAI is reportedly considering building data centers in the United Arab Emirates to greatly expand its Middle East footprint. A deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to Bloomberg. As Bloomberg notes, OpenAI has a long relationship with the UAE. In 2023, the company partnered
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OpenAI's planned data center in Abu Dhabi would be bigger than Monaco | TechCrunch
OpenAI is poised to help develop a staggering 5-gigawatt data center campus in Abu Dhabi, positioning the company as a primary anchor tenant in what could become one of the world's largest AI infrastructure projects, according to a new Bloomberg report. The facility would reportedly span an
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OpenAI to Help UAE Develop One of World's Biggest Data Centers
OpenAI plans to help develop a massive new data center in the United Arab Emirates that may eventually be one of the largest in the world, a major bet on the Middle East and a significant expansion of the company's global AI infrastructure ambitions. The ChatGPT maker is expected to be one of the
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OpenAI to help UAE develop one of world's biggest data centers, Bloomberg News reports
May 16 (Reuters) - OpenAI plans to help develop a massive new data center in the United Arab Emirates that may eventually be one of the largest in the world, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. The ChatGPT maker is expected to be one of the primary anchor tenants for a 5-gigawatt data center campus
[5]
Sam Altman's OpenAI Is Mulling a Data Center in the Middle East
As President Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East gathers momentum, OpenAI is positioning itself at the heart of a geopolitical realignment that could reshape where A.I. is developed -- and who controls its future. The company is in talks to build a data center in the United Arab Emirates,
[6]
OpenAI to help UAE develop one of world's biggest data centres
OpenAI is reportedly planning to support the development of a vast data centre in Abu Dhabi, potentially among the world's largest. The 5-gigawatt campus may host OpenAI as a key tenant. Though not yet confirmed, an announcement is expected soon, following a UAE-US AI development agreement.OpenAI
[7]
OpenAI plans Stargate data centre in UAE in push beyond US: Report
It is not clear whether the ChatGPT maker will use the UAE data centre for its own work in the artificial intelligence (AI) space.Sam Altman's OpenAI is going to announce a new data centre in the UAE under its Stargate initiative, The Information reported, citing people aware of the matter. Altman
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OpenAI is set to develop a 5-gigawatt data center campus in Abu Dhabi, potentially becoming one of the world's largest AI infrastructure projects. This move strengthens OpenAI's presence in the Middle East and highlights growing tech partnerships between the US and UAE.
OpenAI's Ambitious Data Center Plans in UAE
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is poised to make a significant move in the Middle East by developing a massive data center campus in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This project, if realized, could become one of the world's largest AI infrastructure initiatives, marking a major expansion of OpenAI's global footprint
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.Scale and Specifications
The planned data center is reported to be a 5-gigawatt facility, spanning an impressive 10 square miles - an area larger than Monaco. To put this into perspective, the power consumption of this facility would be equivalent to that of five nuclear reactors
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. This UAE project would dwarf OpenAI's ongoing 1.2-gigawatt Stargate campus development in Abilene, Texas, by more than quadrupling its capacity2
.Partnerships and Investments
OpenAI's venture in the UAE is part of a broader collaboration with G42, an Abu Dhabi-based tech conglomerate. This partnership, which dates back to 2023, aims to drive AI adoption in the Middle East
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. The project is also linked to OpenAI's ambitious Stargate initiative, a joint venture announced in January 2025 involving SoftBank and Oracle, focused on building massive data centers globally2
.Geopolitical Context and Concerns
The development occurs against a backdrop of strengthening AI ties between the US and UAE. However, these relationships have raised concerns among some US lawmakers. G42, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan (the UAE's national security advisor), has faced scrutiny due to its past connections with Chinese entities like Huawei and Beijing Genomics Institute
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.Microsoft's Involvement
Microsoft, a major shareholder in OpenAI, has also deepened its involvement in the region. In early 2024, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, with its president, Brad Smith, joining G42's board of directors
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Broader Middle East Tech Initiatives
The OpenAI project is part of a larger trend of tech expansion in the Middle East. The UAE and the United States recently signed an agreement for the Gulf country to build the largest AI campus outside the US
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. Additionally, other tech giants like Nvidia have announced deals in the region, such as plans to build "AI factories" in Saudi Arabia5
.Future Prospects
While OpenAI's participation in the UAE data center project is not yet finalized, a formal announcement is expected in the near future
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. This development could significantly reshape the global AI infrastructure landscape and further cement the UAE's position as an emerging tech hub in the Middle East5
.References
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