Trump Agrees Deal for UAE to Build Largest AI Campus Outside the US

Source: WE News English

Trump Agrees Deal for UAE to Build Largest AI Campus Outside the US

In a historic move that underscores the growing geopolitical importance of artificial intelligence, former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a strategic agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support the development of what will become the largest AI campus outside the United States.

Announced during a high-profile economic summit in Abu Dhabi, the deal positions the UAE as a leading global hub for next-generation AI development, research, and deployment — while marking a notable deepening of U.S.-UAE tech collaboration under Trump’s influence on the global stage.

A $10 Billion Vision

The project, reportedly valued at over $10 billion, will be built in Masdar City, the UAE’s sustainable innovation district. The AI campus is expected to house top-tier AI research labs, quantum computing centers, university partnerships, accelerator hubs, and data infrastructure capable of supporting multi-national AI enterprises and sovereign projects.

The initiative will also include joint ventures with U.S.-based AI firms, particularly those specializing in defense, biotech, energy, and financial technologies. Several Silicon Valley companies are believed to be in advanced talks for participation.

“This partnership is about freedom, innovation, and making history,” Trump said during the summit. “The UAE is a fantastic partner, and together we’re going to build something the world has never seen before in the field of artificial intelligence.”

Strategic & Political Implications

The announcement comes at a time when global competition over AI leadership is intensifying. The U.S., China, and the EU have all launched major national AI strategies, and the UAE — already home to the world’s first Minister of Artificial Intelligence — has aggressively positioned itself as a digital-first economy.

This deal may also signal a new era of Trump-led tech diplomacy, where private-sector alliances and cross-border mega-projects replace traditional government initiatives. Though Trump is no longer in office, his continued influence over business and policy circles is reshaping the way the U.S. engages with strategic partners.

What the Campus Will Offer

According to sources familiar with the agreement, the AI campus will feature:

  • AI Research Universities with joint U.S.-UAE faculties

  • AI Ethics & Regulation Labs

  • Defense AI Development Zones

  • Quantum and Supercomputing Infrastructure

  • Accelerators for Global AI Startups

  • Data Sovereignty Protocols in line with UAE and U.S. law

The campus will also serve as a neutral international platform for countries and corporations to collaborate on AI safety, governance, and commercial innovation.

A New AI Power Center?

Analysts suggest the project could reshape the global AI landscape, creating a Middle East-based powerhouse that attracts talent, capital, and influence from both East and West.

“The UAE is already punching above its weight in AI,” said Dr. Amina Khouri, senior analyst at the Gulf Digital Policy Institute. “With U.S. backing and Trump’s global network, this campus could rival anything being built in China or Europe.”

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with Phase 1 operational by late 2026.

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