Abu Dhabi: On Thursday, a new 5GW UAE-US AI Campus was officially unveiled at Qasr Al Watan, attended by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Donald Trump, who is currently on a state visit to the UAE.

This AI campus, described as the largest such facility outside the United States, will serve as a hub for US hyperscalers and large enterprises, providing regional compute resources aimed at serving nearly half of the global population.

The facility is designed to deliver low-latency services and will integrate nuclear, solar, and gas power sources to minimize carbon emissions.

Additionally, it is set to include a science park dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence innovation.

Developed by G42 and operated in partnership with several US firms, the UAE-US AI Campus is part of the newly launched US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, a framework intended to bolster collaboration on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

Access to the computing resources will be jointly regulated by the UAE and the US, specifically reserved for US hyperscalers and approved cloud service providers.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), expressed that the campus's unveiling signifies the deepening collaboration between the two nations in the AI sector.

He stated, "It reflects the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovation and fostering global cooperation in AI."

US Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick highlighted the development as a historic partnership on AI that will support significant investments in advanced semiconductors and data centers in both nations.

He emphasized that American companies will manage the data centers, thereby extending leading US technological capabilities to a strategic partner.

The UAE has a longstanding commitment to AI, having appointed the world's first federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and establishing a national AI strategy aimed at integrating AI across critical sectors such as education and healthcare.

This dedication includes the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019.

The unveiling of the AI campus coincided with a ceremonial welcome for President Trump at Qasr Al Watan, where he was greeted with traditional Emirati honors, including a mounted honor guard and camel procession.

Trump’s visit to the UAE underscores the strong ties between the two nations, which have been consolidated through various strategic partnerships over several decades.

As part of his trip, Trump also toured the Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith complex promoting religious tolerance in Abu Dhabi, featuring a mosque, church, and synagogue.

During his visit, he penned a message in the guestbook, acknowledging the complex as a testament to shared values between the US and UAE.

This state visit not only showcases diplomatic relations but also emphasizes the ongoing collaboration in advancements such as artificial intelligence, positioning both countries to address future challenges in a rapidly evolving global landscape.