Trump wraps Middle East tour, joins UAE to launch region’s largest AI campus
The new 5GW facility to be powered by nuclear, solar, and gas sources
ABU DHABI: US President Donald Trump has concluded his Middle East visit with a state trip to the United Arab Emirates, where a landmark artificial intelligence campus was unveiled alongside major discussions on strategic cooperation.
The high-profile ceremony, held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, was attended by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Trump’s visit to the UAE marked only the second time a sitting US president visited the Gulf nation, following President George W. Bush’s trip in 2008.
At the heart of the visit was the unveiling of the first phase of a 5GW UAE-US AI campus – set to be the largest of its kind outside the United States.
The visit underscored deepening ties between the two nations across energy, investment, advanced technologies, and digital infrastructure. The leaders also discussed regional developments and reaffirmed their long-standing strategic partnership, which has spanned over five decades.
AI Campus in Abu Dhabi
Both the leaders jointly unveiled the initial phase of the new AI campus – designed to host vast data centres supporting AI development and cloud computing. Once complete, the site will deliver 5GW of compute capacity, offering low-latency services to nearly half the world’s population, particularly the Global South.
The project is spearheaded by G42, a UAE-based AI and cloud computing firm, in collaboration with several major US technology companies. The facility will be powered through a combination of nuclear, solar, and gas energy sources, aligning with regional sustainability targets while providing the scale required for high-performance AI computing.
Situated in Abu Dhabi, the AI campus will serve as a regional launchpad for US hyperscalers – companies that operate massive cloud computing and data services infrastructure. It is a key initiative under the newly signed US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which formalises joint efforts to advance responsible AI development.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), said the unveiling was a “testament to the ongoing collaboration between our countries in artificial intelligence” and reflects the UAE’s ambition to be a hub for cutting-edge innovation and global development.
The facility will also house a science and research park focused on AI innovation, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global AI centre. The UAE, a pioneer in government-led AI integration, was the first country to appoint a Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and has since launched a national AI strategy spanning multiple sectors.
US Secretary of Commerce Howard W Lutnick, also present at the event, called the initiative “a major milestone in achieving President Trump’s vision for US AI dominance” and a “historic Middle Eastern partnership” that strengthens American influence in a critical technological field.
Lutnick noted that American companies will operate the data centres and manage cloud infrastructure under US oversight, ensuring compliance with shared regulatory frameworks. “By extending the world’s leading American tech stack to an important strategic partner, this agreement builds unmatched capacity and capability in AI across the region,” he added.
Strategic discussions
Following the ceremony, President Trump held formal talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the UAE and United States. The leaders discussed avenues for increased cooperation in energy, investment, defence, advanced technology, and climate-conscious infrastructure.
Both leaders expressed commitment to peace, stability, and economic development across the wider Middle East. They addressed regional tensions and agreed on the need for multilateral coordination to prevent further escalation, while enhancing the resilience of strategic alliances.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted the historic nature of UAE-US relations, which span economic, political, and cultural spheres. “For over 50 years, our countries have been bound by mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to global progress,” the UAE President said.
President Trump praised the UAE’s leadership and its evolving role in promoting innovation and stability in the Middle East. He affirmed that bilateral relations “have reached new heights” and reiterated US support for continued collaboration across frontier technologies.
The two leaders also celebrated the launch of a separate 1GW AI cluster to be located within the wider Abu Dhabi AI complex. This secondary initiative will be tailored to regional applications such as autonomous mobility, medical diagnostics, language processing, and smart infrastructure.
Trump in UAE
Earlier, on his arrival from Qatar, President Trump was greeted at Qasr Al Watan with an elaborate welcome that featured a ceremonial mounted honour guard, a camel-led procession, and performances by Emirati folk ensembles. A 21-gun salute was fired in tribute, and children waving UAE and US flags lined the palace route.
Also present at the ceremony were Emirati astronauts, engineers, and young students from the country’s space outreach initiatives – highlighting the UAE’s commitment to empowering future generations in high-tech fields.
Inside the palace, President Trump toured the “Guided by the Stars” exhibition, showcasing the UAE’s history of space exploration and the founding vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The exhibition highlights the country’s journey from early astronomical interest to launching the Arab world’s first Mars probe in 2020.
US and UAE flags adorned the streets of Abu Dhabi in honour of the visit, with welcome banners displayed from the Presidential Airport to the palace.
State banquet and delegations
A formal state banquet was held at Qasr Al Watan in honour of President Trump and his delegation. Attendees included prominent members of the UAE leadership:
- His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister
- Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
- Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of the Interior
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President
US President signs VIP guestbook at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi #UAE_welcomes_US_President #UAEUSA
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) May 15, 2025
#WamNews pic.twitter.com/Ok0HHID2qc
President Trump signed the official guestbook, expressing gratitude for the UAE’s hospitality and reaffirming the strategic nature of the US-UAE partnership. He wished continued prosperity to the Emirati people and praised the country’s drive to lead in global innovation.
The American delegation included several senior officials, ministers, and representatives from the US private sector, particularly in the fields of AI, defence technology, and infrastructure investment.