UAE’s Stargate AI Campus to begin operations in 2026
- Marijan Hassan - Tech Journalist
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
The proposed 'Stargate UAE' project is scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The project is a collaboration between UAE-based firm G42 and U.S. tech giants OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and Cisco, aiming to establish the largest AI data center complex outside the United States.
Spanning 10 square miles, the UAE–U.S. AI Campus will house the Stargate UAE cluster, which will ultimately provide 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity. The first phase includes a 1-gigawatt compute cluster, with an initial 200-megawatt AI cluster expected to go live in 2026. The facility will incorporate Nvidia's advanced Grace Blackwell GB300 AI servers, with an estimated 100,000 chips powering approximately 1,400 servers.
The initiative is part of the broader 'OpenAI for Countries' program, which aims to help governments build sovereign AI capabilities. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated, "By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the U.S. in the UAE, we’re transforming a bold vision into reality."
The project also aligns with the recently announced U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, promoting cooperation on AI and advanced technologies. As part of this framework, UAE entities will invest in U.S. digital infrastructure projects, including the Stargate U.S. initiative.
The Stargate UAE facility will be powered by a mix of nuclear, solar, and natural gas energy sources to minimize carbon emissions. It will also feature a science park dedicated to innovation, talent development, and sustainable computing infrastructure.
G42 Group CEO Peng Xiao emphasized the significance of the project, 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."
With this ambitious project, the UAE positions itself at the forefront of AI development, fostering international collaboration and driving innovation across various sectors, including healthcare, energy, finance, and transportation.
