OpenAI Plans Massive Data Center in Abu Dhabi, Larger Than Monaco
OpenAI is set to support the development of a massive 5-gigawatt data center campus in Abu Dhabi, which could make the company a key anchor tenant in one of the largest AI infrastructure initiatives globally.
A Facility on an Unprecedented Scale
The proposed facility is expected to cover an extraordinary 10 square miles and require energy comparable to five nuclear reactors. This would surpass any AI infrastructure currently announced by OpenAI or its rivals. (For comparison, the site would be larger than the entire country of Monaco.)
Part of the Stargate Initiative with G42
This UAE-based project is being developed in partnership with G42, a technology conglomerate headquartered in Abu Dhabi. It is part of OpenAI’s broader Stargate initiative, a joint venture unveiled in January involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. The initiative aims to build large-scale data centers worldwide, equipped with powerful chips to support AI advancements.
Capacity Far Beyond U.S. Stargate Facility
While the first Stargate campus, currently under construction in Abilene, Texas, is projected to reach a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, the Abu Dhabi counterpart would exceed that by more than four times.
Strengthening U.S.–UAE AI Collaboration
The project arises amid growing AI cooperation between the United States and the UAE — ties that have evolved over several years but have also raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers.
History of OpenAI’s Ties with the UAE
OpenAI’s collaboration with the UAE began with a 2023 partnership with G42 to accelerate AI deployment in the Middle East. Earlier that year, CEO Sam Altman spoke in Abu Dhabi and praised the UAE for its early focus on AI, saying the country “has been talking about AI since before it was cool.”
G42’s Controversial Connections and Strategic Pivot
As іs often the case іn the AI sector, these relationships are complex. G42, founded іn 2018, іs chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security advisor and brother оf the country’s ruler. OpenAI’s association with G42 raised red flags among U.S. officials іn late 2023, with concerns that іt could potentially allow China access tо advanced American technologies.
These concerns were largely based оn G42’s “active relationships” with blacklisted Chinese entities such as Huawei and the Beijing Genomics Institute, and its connections tо individuals linked tо Chinese intelligence operations.
G42 Cuts China Ties, Gains U.S. Tech Allies
After facing pressure from American lawmakers, G42’s CEO stated in early 2024 that the company had altered its approach: “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.”
Shortly thereafter, Microsoft — a major stakeholder in OpenAI — announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42. Microsoft President Brad Smith also joined G42’s board of directors.
