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In a landmark move to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to develop a 1-gigawatt AI-optimized data center, with investments ranging between $30 to $50 billion. This significant collaboration was announced on February 6, 2025, following a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
This announcement precedes a major AI summit in Paris scheduled for February 10-11, 2025, which will gather representatives from around 100 countries to discuss AI’s potential and strategies to elevate France and Europe’s presence in the field, aiming to rival the U.S. and China.
The French government has proactively identified 35 sites to host AI data centers, signaling its readiness to support the burgeoning AI infrastructure.
This collaboration builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2024 between the Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) and the French Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. The agreement aimed to develop the AI ecosystems of both countries through joint investments and collaborations, including the establishment of data centers and supercomputing infrastructure.
The UAE has been making significant strides in AI infrastructure development. In October 2024, Khazna Data Centers announced the construction of a 100-megawatt, AI-optimized data center in Ajman, marking the largest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. This facility, set to be operational by the third quarter of 2025, underscores the UAE’s commitment to becoming a leader in AI innovation.