OpenAI and Nvidia Join Forces on Stargate AI Hub in UAE

A major international effort to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure is underway in the United Arab Emirates, as OpenAI, Nvidia, and several other technology leaders announced plans to launch a new project called Stargate UAE. The initiative, based in Abu Dhabi, is positioned as a counterpart to a parallel U.S.-focused AI development campaign introduced earlier this year.

The announcement marks the first global expansion of the Stargate initiative, a strategic AI platform originally unveiled in the United States. Stargate UAE will bring together a consortium of major global technology companies, including OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, Cisco, Nvidia, and Emirati-based G42, to construct and operate advanced computing facilities in the region.

Major Investment and Strategic Vision for Regional Reach

The first phase of the Stargate UAE development includes a 200-megawatt AI computing cluster, scheduled to become operational by 2026. This cluster will form part of a much larger infrastructure footprint located in a new data center complex in Abu Dhabi. The site is planned to offer up to 5 gigawatts of power capacity, enough to sustain a large metropolitan area, and is set to eventually cover an area of 10 square miles.

The broader Stargate effort involves long-term capital commitments totaling as much as $500 billion. The original Stargate project in the U.S. was announced in January during a joint appearance by President Donald Trump and the CEOs of OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. The companies highlighted the importance of expanding domestic AI infrastructure to maintain global competitiveness.

In the UAE project, G42 will oversee construction of the physical infrastructure, while OpenAI and Oracle will manage operations. Nvidia is tasked with supplying its latest generation of high-performance AI chips to power the data systems.

Enhancing Global AI Capabilities and Strategic Footprint

According to OpenAI, Stargate UAE is designed to offer computing capacity across a broad region, reaching a 2,000-mile radius from its location. This footprint could serve nearly half of the world’s population, significantly improving access to cutting-edge AI resources in a region historically underserved in such technologies.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that this move reflects an ambition to enable transformative breakthroughs in areas such as medicine, education, and energy in more diverse locations globally. He described the project as a step toward ensuring that the benefits of AI innovation can be shared more broadly and equitably.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang echoed the sentiment, describing the UAE initiative as a reflection of the country’s strategic vision to modernize its economy, build human capital, and shape its technological future. The project aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to position itself as a leader in AI adoption and innovation.

The collaboration was confirmed to be developed in close partnership with the United States government, reinforcing the geopolitical and technological alignment between the U.S. and the UAE in advancing AI infrastructure. With construction underway and operational deployment planned within two years, Stargate UAE represents a major milestone in scaling global AI capacity through strategic public-private partnerships.