France and the UAE intend to invest between €30 billion and €50 billion to build a 1GW AI data centre and fund other AI-related projects.
The declaration was made on Thursday, following a high-profile meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The AI campus will be located in France, while the particular location has yet to be chosen.
The project will prioritise semiconductor development, AI talent cultivation, and virtual data embassies, which will contribute to the establishment of sovereign AI and cloud infrastructures in both countries.
Few details have been revealed, although rumours imply that the plan will be spearheaded by a Franco-Emirati group, which includes the MGX Investment Fund. MGX, which is backed by Abu Dhabi, is also a major investor in OpenAI’s Stargate initiative, which aims to invest $500 billion in US data centres over the next four years.
France is hosting an international AI event in Paris, where additional investments may be announced. The government has already identified 35 possible data centre sites and is offering fast-track permits. With nuclear power accounting for 65% of its electricity, France is establishing itself as a key hub for AI-powered data centres.
