OpenAI is rolling out a very large 5-gigawatt data center campus across 5 sites in Abu Dhabi. This expansion significantly strengthens its footprint in the Middle East. Forward-looking as ever, this ambitious project underpins OpenAI’s close connection with UAE-based AI firm G42. We launched this new partnership in 2023 to accelerate AI adoption across the region. If Congress agrees, the data center campus will be one of the largest AI infrastructure projects in the world.
This partnership between OpenAI and G42 shows a strong strategic fit with the goal of developing AI capabilities in the UAE. Earlier this year, OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman traveled to Abu Dhabi and showered the UAE with praise. He emphasized the nation’s business-friendly and creative environment when it comes to technology and innovation.
Also in January, OpenAI joined with SoftBank and Oracle. Together, they launched the Stargate project to construct new, large-scale, data centers around the world. OpenAI will be one of the major anchor tenants for the new campus in Abu Dhabi. This uniquely positions them to be an integral partner in this large new endeavor.
If approved, the new data center will sprawl an astounding 10 miles2. That’s a lot of energy—enough to power five nuclear reactors! This intensity of development highlights OpenAI’s seriousness to continue to grow AI infrastructure and talent in the area.
Despite its successes, the partnership has not been free from controversy. U.S. lawmakers are asking questions about G42’s known ties to blacklisted companies. They cite in particular connections to Huawei and the Beijing Genomics Institute. Moreover, G42 has connections to people associated with China’s smart cities initiative, raising concerns about the potential consequences of such cooperation on this front.
In response to these concerns, G42’s CEO stated, “All of our China investments that were previously made are already divested. Because of that, of course, we have no need anymore for any physical China presence.” This new declaration marks a wider change in strategy as G42 turns its attention to building its influence in the United States.
Under the direction of Chairman Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the UAE’s national security adviser, G42 has expanded rapidly. His involvement adds a new dimension of weight to this partnership’s importance in strengthening the UAE’s technological ecosystem.
With so much still in development, OpenAI’s mini-campus in Abu Dhabi represents a key inflection point. Most importantly, it stirs a critical discussion around crucial AI infrastructure necessary to support global partnerships.
