The UAE’s bold move to launch the “Stargate” AI data center in Abu Dhabi by 2026 is more than a technological milestone. It’s a strategic play that reinforces the country’s ambition to lead in AI, digital infrastructure, and energy-hungry innovation.

The project’s first phase will bring online 200 megawatts of AI capacity powered by Nvidia’s cutting-edge systems. That figure alone is staggering, but the broader vision is even more ambitious: a data center complex that could eventually span 10 square miles and reach 5 gigawatts. For context, that’s more than the power usage of some small countries.

What’s significant here is not just the scale, but the strategic collaboration behind it. G42, a UAE-based AI powerhouse, is working closely with OpenAI, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Nvidia, and SoftBank. These partnerships were made possible in part by a recent US–UAE agreement that eased export restrictions on AI chips. It’s a clear example of how geopolitics, national security, and technology policy are becoming closely linked to infrastructure development. This initiative follows a $1 billion joint venture between G42 and OpenAI, further signaling the UAE’s intent to develop both the infrastructure and application layers of AI. The HUMAIN announcement, which aligns with this effort, reflects a broader push to pair AI advancement with stronger governance — a shift clients should monitor closely.

From an energy and infrastructure perspective, the Stargate project raises both opportunities and questions. How do we balance the rising demand for data processing power with sustainability? What kind of regulatory frameworks will govern this kind of AI infrastructure? And how will countries align commercial innovation with national and cross-border data protections?

As countries and companies race to claim leadership in AI, projects like Stargate serve as proving grounds for how we build and govern the future. This is where energy, digital infrastructure, and policy converge, and where leadership in one space increasingly depends on foresight in all three.

What This Means for Clients

For energy developers and infrastructure investors, Stargate highlights a new kind of power demand. Meeting it will require solutions that are not only large-scale and flexible, but also sustainable. Legal and regulatory teams should be ready for shifting frameworks that aim to keep pace with innovation while still addressing compliance, data governance, and environmental goals.

Multinational companies and governments should see this as a moment to build the right partnerships. The ability to bring together expertise in technology, energy, and policy will be key to staying ahead in a fast-evolving space.

For those exploring energy, infrastructure, or AI-focused projects, Stargate offers a glimpse of what’s to come. It’s a reminder to engage experienced partners early, across regulatory, transactional, and strategic areas.

As countries and companies compete to lead in AI, projects like this will test how we build and manage the next generation of infrastructure. The UAE’s approach — combining large-scale investment with international collaboration — could influence how others move forward.