In a visionary leap for global AI advancement, OpenAI has unveiled its first international Stargate rollout in the United Arab Emirates, setting the stage for a new era of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Named Stargate UAE, the facility will anchor the UAE–US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi, transforming a 10 square-mile site into what will soon be the largest AI data centre on Earth. With 5 gigawatts of intelligent computing power and sustainability at its core, this project isn’t just about scale it’s about strategic ambition, technological leadership, and global impact.
Backed by a powerful alliance that includes G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, SoftBank Group Corp., and the UAE’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), Stargate UAE is set to ignite a new standard in AI-first infrastructure. The project will harness a balanced energy mix nuclear, solar, and natural gas to fuel its massive computing needs while maintaining a sustainable operational model. The first 1 gigawatt cluster is expected to go live by 2026, designed to serve nearly half the world’s population within a 2,000 mile radius.
But Stargate is more than a data centre it’s a declaration. A declaration that AI innovation must be democratized, accessible, and globally distributed. With this launch, the UAE becomes the first nation to roll out ChatGPT Plus access nationwide, ensuring its citizens and enterprises benefit from cutting-edge AI tools at unprecedented scale. In the words of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, “By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the US in the UAE, we’re turning a bold vision into reality… ensuring some of this era’s most important breakthroughs can emerge from more places and benefit the world.”
This initiative represents more than infrastructure it’s about empowering ecosystems, nurturing collaboration, and accelerating AI adoption worldwide. As the UAE cements its position as a global AI innovation hub, Stargate UAE stands as a monumental symbol of what’s possible when ambition meets action. It’s a future where boundaries dissolve, and the power of AI belongs to everyone.
