3 hrs ago
UAE Revises AI Data Center Plans After Iranian Attacks
The UAE is building a very large group of computer centers for artificial intelligence.
The project was originally planned as one large campus near Abu Dhabi.
Iranian missiles and drones damaged other regional technology facilities and raised concerns about safety.
Because of this, officials may spread the centers across several places instead.
Some buildings could be underground or inside mountains.
Air-defense systems and stronger materials may also be added.
The first part of the project is still expected to continue.
G42, the company leading the project, said the work is progressing as planned while details are reviewed.
The United Arab Emirates is reviewing plans for a 5-gigawatt AI data center project after Iranian missile and drone attacks.
The originally planned 10-square-mile campus near Abu Dhabi may become a network of facilities across the UAE.
Officials are considering underground or mountain sites, air defenses, electronic jamming, and stronger construction.
The first phase, Stargate UAE, is expected to proceed with possible security modifications, according to sources.
G42 said the project is progressing as planned and that its specifications are continuously reviewed for security and resilience.
- Who
- The UAE government, G42, American technology partners, and officials reviewing the project; Iranian forces carried out the attacks that prompted the review.
- What
- A planned 5-gigawatt UAE-US AI data center project is being reconsidered, potentially shifting from one large campus to multiple sites with added defenses.
- Where
- The project was originally planned near Al Dhafra Air Base outside Abu Dhabi, with possible future sites across the UAE, including mountainous areas of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
- When
- The review began after attacks that started in February; AWS facilities were damaged in March and Iran issued a warning about Stargate UAE in April. Reuters reported the developments on September 11.
- Why
- Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf infrastructure prompted concerns about protecting critical, U.S.-linked technology facilities.
Project revision concerns
Project proceeding as planned
Extent of the redesign
Project revision concerns
Sources told Reuters that the single Abu Dhabi campus will likely become a network of data centers across the UAE, with some facilities potentially underground or inside mountains.
Project proceeding as planned
G42 said the AI campus is progressing as planned and did not confirm that the overall blueprint or timeline would change.
Security measures
Project revision concerns
Sources said officials are considering missile and drone interceptors, electronic jamming, blast-resistant concrete, and backup power and cooling systems.
Project proceeding as planned
G42 said project specifics are subject to continuous review under critical-infrastructure standards, without detailing specific modifications.
Construction timeline
Project revision concerns
Reuters could not determine how far the new masterplan has advanced or how proposed changes might affect costs and construction schedules.
Project proceeding as planned
Sources said the first phase is expected to continue, with only possible modifications to protect the site from aerial attacks.
Key facts
- Project scale
- Planned capacity is 5 gigawatts.
- Original design
- A 10-square-mile (26-square-kilometer) campus was planned near Abu Dhabi.
- First phase
- Stargate UAE is a $30 billion, 1-gigawatt compute cluster.
- Expected initial capacity
- The first 200 megawatts are due to come online this year, according to the report.
- Potential changes
- Facilities may be distributed across the UAE, built underground or inside mountains, and protected with air defenses.
- Partners
- G42 is working with OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank-linked initiatives.
- Company response
- G42 said work is progressing as planned and that project details are continuously reviewed for security, resilience, and operational standards.
Quotes
Daniel Benaim
Former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Arabian Peninsula affairs and Middle East Institute fellow
“Every country in the region is going to look at what they can do to reduce the risk”
theprint.in
“Changes to harden critical infrastructure are vitally necessary”
theprint.in
G42
UAE-based AI company leading the project
“The project’s specifics are subject to continuous review in line with the security, resilience and operational standards expected of critical infrastructure at this scale.”
theprint.in
Sources
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