Abu Dhabi/Paris: The UAE and France have unveiled plans to invest $50 billion in a gigawatt-scale AI data center, aiming to meet the rapidly growing demand for artificial intelligence technology. The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron following discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The decision was finalized ahead of the upcoming Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris, scheduled for February 10-11, where delegates from nearly 100 countries will explore AI’s transformative potential.
Strengthening AI Collaboration
France sees AI as a critical area for growth, as European nations, including Britain, Germany, and Italy, work to compete with the US and China in the sector. In line with this, both leaders emphasized their commitment to forging a strategic AI partnership between their nations.
Key Aspects of the Investment:
- The AI data centers will be developed in both France and the UAE.
- Plans include the establishment of virtual data embassies, enhancing chip manufacturing, cloud computing, and data center infrastructure.
- The French government has identified 35 locations for AI data centers.
This collaboration marks a significant step in positioning both nations as major players in the global AI ecosystem.