
France and UAE unite in gigantic $50B AI project
France and the United Arab Emirates have signed a historic agreement to create a 1-gigawatt AI data center, with investments ranging from 30 to 50 billion dollars. The agreement was reached during a meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Paris.
This strategic partnership aims to strengthen France and Europe’s position in global competition with the US and China in energy-intensive AI technologies. The agreement provides for comprehensive development of AI infrastructure in both countries through investments in AI technology development, acquisition of advanced microchips, creation of data centers, talent development, and organization of virtual data embassies.
The French government has already identified 35 sites for AI data centers. The first concrete investment projects will be announced at the Choose France summit later this year.
The signing of the agreement comes ahead of a major artificial intelligence summit in Paris on February 10-11, which will gather representatives from about 100 countries to discuss AI potential. This event aims to demonstrate France and Europe’s ambitions in developing artificial intelligence technologies and their desire to compete with global industry leaders.