UAE Plans Distributed 5-Gigawatt AI Project After Iranian Attacks

The United Arab Emirates is reworking plans for a 5-gigawatt AI data-center project after Iranian missile and drone attacks raised concerns about the vulnerability of concentrated critical infrastructure. Instead of a single 26-square-kilometer campus in Abu Dhabi, the project will likely be distributed among multiple sites across the UAE, with authorities considering air defenses, reinforced structures and underground facilities for especially sensitive operations. The initiative, led by G42 with U.S. technology partners, is central to the UAE’s ambition to become a global AI hub and includes commitments related to advanced U.S. chips, reduced AI ties with China and investment in the U.S.-based Stargate project. Construction is underway on Stargate UAE, a $30 billion, 1-gigawatt first phase whose initial 200 megawatts are expected to come online this year, although the redesign’s effect on costs and timelines remains unclear. G42 says the project is progressing while its specifications continue to be reviewed for security and resilience.