UAE revises AI data center plan after Iranian attacks: Report
deccanherald.com Sep 11, 2026

UAE revises AI data center plan after Iranian attacks: Report

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

UAE authorities are reworking a 5‑gigawatt AI data‑center initiative after the Iran‑Israel conflict highlighted vulnerability of large, centralized facilities, six sources told Reuters. The original 10‑square‑mile campus in Abu Dhabi will likely be replaced by a dispersed network of sites across the Emirates, with some components potentially underground and protected by air‑defense systems. The project, a partnership between state‑backed AI firm G42 and U.S. firms including Oracle, OpenAI and Nvidia, underpins the UAE’s push to become a global AI hub and to diversify away from oil. Construction of the first 1‑gigawatt “Stargate UAE” cluster began last year; 200 MW are slated to be operational this year. Officials say the redesign is ongoing but no timeline or cost impact has been disclosed yet.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Scattering the AI infrastructure turns a single strategic target into a resilient network, ensuring the UAE’s AI‑driven diversification plan can survive regional security shocks.