OpenAI has announced plans to further expand its ambitious Stargate data center project into the Middle East. On September 14, they announced a new venture, Stargate UAE, that will build a 1 gigawatt (1GW) data center cluster in Abu Dhabi. This initiative is a big deal for the United Arab Emirates. By the end of 2023, it will become the first country in the world to roll out nationwide access to OpenAI’s technology—including ChatGPT.
The announcement came during a week filled with notable developments in the artificial intelligence sector, coinciding with Elon Musk’s introduction of xAI, which aims to create the world’s first gigawatt AI training cluster. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, shared insights about the Stargate UAE project while speaking at the Microsoft Build conference held at the Seattle Convention Center on May 21, 2024.
OpenAI expects that 200 megawatts (MW) of this massive data center will be up and running by 2026. The company has partnered with major industry players such as G42, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank. Collectively, we’re looking forward to making this project a reality. The proposed Abu Dhabi plant, meanwhile, is said to be bigger than the current Emirate of Monaco.
The Stargate UAE project has already generated intense interest and speculation before it’s even officially announced. According to sources, OpenAI has been internally preparing for this expansion for at least half a year. OpenAI has had a tough time rolling out its Stargate program due to tariffs. Well, if anything, they’ve proven just how successful they can be with this partnership.
“This is […] the first partnership under OpenAI for Countries, our new global initiative to help interested governments build sovereign AI capability in coordination with the U.S. government.” – OpenAI
The successful launch of Stargate UAE will further bolster OpenAI’s operational capabilities in the region. Relatedly, it will provide individuals and organizations across the UAE with unprecedented access to AI technologies. This partnership is an important milestone in developing cutting-edge AI infrastructure and expertise in sovereign nations.
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