OpenAI Abu Dhabi Data Center: Larger Than Monaco!

OpenAI's Expansion into Abu Dhabi

OpenAI is preparing to contribute to the development of a substantial 5-gigawatt data center campus located in Abu Dhabi. This positions the company as a key tenant within a potentially massive AI infrastructure undertaking, as detailed in a recent Bloomberg report.

Scale and Power Consumption

The proposed facility is projected to cover an area of 10 square miles. Its anticipated power demand, equivalent to that of five nuclear reactors, significantly surpasses the scale of any AI infrastructure currently announced by OpenAI or its competitors.

For context, the size of this campus exceeds that of Monaco.

The Stargate Project and Global Expansion

This UAE project is an integral component of OpenAI’s Stargate initiative. This joint venture, revealed in January, involves OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle collaborating to construct expansive data centers globally.

These centers will be equipped with high-performance computer chips designed to facilitate AI development.

Capacity Comparison

While the initial Stargate campus in the U.S., currently under construction in Abilene, Texas, is slated to achieve a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, the Middle Eastern facility is expected to exceed this by more than fourfold.

U.S.-UAE AI Collaboration

The project arises within the context of growing AI connections between the U.S. and UAE, a relationship cultivated over several years. However, this collaboration has also prompted concerns among some members of the U.S. government.

OpenAI and G42 Partnership

OpenAI’s involvement with the UAE began with a 2023 partnership with G42, a technology conglomerate based in Abu Dhabi. The aim of this partnership was to promote the adoption of AI technologies throughout the Middle East.

During a speech delivered in Abu Dhabi in 2023, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lauded the UAE’s early recognition of the potential of AI.

Complex Relationships and Security Concerns

The relationship between OpenAI and G42 is multifaceted. Established in 2018, G42 is led by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security advisor and brother to the country’s ruler.

This association with G42 sparked apprehension among U.S. officials in late 2023, who expressed fears that it could provide China’s government with access to advanced U.S. technologies.

Concerns Regarding Chinese Ties

These concerns centered on G42’s existing connections with entities on U.S. blacklists, including Huawei and the Beijing Genomics Institute, as well as its links to individuals associated with Chinese intelligence operations.

Strategic Shift and Divestment

In response to pressure from U.S. lawmakers, G42’s CEO informed Bloomberg in early 2024 that the company was altering its strategic direction. He stated that all previous investments in China had been divested, eliminating the need for a physical presence in the country.

Microsoft's Investment and Board Representation

Shortly thereafter, Microsoft – a significant shareholder in OpenAI with its own interests in the region – announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, subsequently joined G42’s board of directors.