UAE Launches World’s Largest AI Campus Outside the U.S. Now 2025

Lifestyle3 weeks ago

In a bold step toward becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence, the United Arab Emirates has announced plans to build the largest AI-dedicated campus outside the United States. This historic development will be located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable urban development, and is being led by G42, the UAE-based technology giant known for its advanced AI work.

The new AI campus, named AI72, is set to transform the UAE into a global hub for artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and emerging technologies. It aligns with the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to position the UAE among the top AI-powered nations in the world.

A Major Leap in AI Infrastructure

The AI72 campus will span a massive area and house over 600 AI companies from around the world. The name AI72 represents the campus’s goal of 72 hours of innovation every 24 hours—a symbolic reference to non-stop AI development running across multiple global time zones.

The project was officially announced during the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Global AI Summit, and it has already attracted attention from leading global AI researchers, tech startups, venture capitalists, and educational institutions.

G42 CEO Peng Xiao emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating:

“AI72 is more than a campus. It’s a collaborative space for building the future, accelerating breakthroughs in AI, and ensuring responsible development and deployment of new technologies.”

Why Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi has been steadily positioning itself as a global innovation capital. The city’s strategic location, stable business environment, and heavy investments in advanced technologies make it a natural choice for such a large-scale AI venture.

Moreover, Masdar City, known for its sustainability and smart infrastructure, is the perfect location to host this futuristic AI ecosystem. The city already hosts research institutions, cleantech companies, and startups, which makes it a fertile ground for innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

Key Features of AI72 Campus

Home to 600+ AI Companies
The campus is expected to bring together AI startups, established tech giants, and research labs to collaborate and innovate.
Training and Upskilling
AI72 will serve as a center for AI education and talent development, offering courses, certification programs, and partnerships with universities. The goal is to train thousands of AI professionals locally and globally.
High-Performance Computing Infrastructure
The facility will be equipped with supercomputers and high-speed data processing units, enabling complex AI experiments and real-time machine learning operations.
Sustainability-Focused Development
In line with Masdar City’s eco-friendly principles, AI72 will be built using green construction practices and powered largely by renewable energy.
Global Collaboration
Companies and institutions from Asia, Europe, and Africa are already in talks to participate in AI72, making it a global melting pot for AI advancement.

What This Means for the UAE and the Region

The announcement of AI72 solidifies the UAE’s commitment to becoming a world leader in artificial intelligence. It also signals a shift in the center of gravity of AI innovation—from traditional Western tech hubs to the Middle East.

The UAE already has a solid foundation in AI. In 2017, it became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, a move that has since guided the nation’s digital strategy. Since then, the UAE has made major investments in AI across sectors such as healthcare, energy, security, transportation, and finance.

With the addition of AI72, the UAE now aims to attract global talent, foster homegrown innovation, and contribute to AI regulation and ethics discussions on a global scale.

Reactions from the Global Tech Community

The global tech industry has responded with keen interest. Industry experts view AI72 as a bold and visionary project that could accelerate not just regional, but global, AI advancement.

Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, AI scientist and co-founder of Affectiva, said:

“AI72 is a great example of what happens when a country takes digital transformation seriously. This could be a game-changer for innovation outside Silicon Valley.”

Investors are also showing enthusiasm. Venture capital firms from Europe and Asia are reportedly exploring funding opportunities within the campus.

Next Steps and Timeline

Construction of the AI72 campus is scheduled to begin by late 2025, with partial operations expected in early 2026. Recruitment for companies, researchers, and students is already underway, with a major international AI conference planned for early next year to promote the campus.

The UAE government has pledged full support to the initiative, including regulatory facilitation, funding access, and global partnerships. G42 will play a central role in managing infrastructure, partnerships, and AI ethics compliance.

Conclusion

The UAE’s decision to build the largest AI campus outside the US is a defining moment in the global tech landscape. With AI72, the country is not just following global trends—it is shaping the future of artificial intelligence itself.

From training the next generation of AI experts to developing breakthrough technologies, AI72 is expected to set new standards for how nations invest in and benefit from intelligent innovation.

As the world watches closely, one thing is clear: the UAE is rapidly emerging as one of the boldest players in the AI era.