World's Largest AI Data Center to be Built in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is set to become the first city in the world to be operated entirely by artificial intelligence. By 2027, every public and private service in the city will be integrated into a single AI platform.

The UAE government has announced a $2.5 billion investment into this project, which is being developed in collaboration with Italian company Synapsia and UAE-based Bold Technologies.

The project gained major momentum when U.S. President Donald Trump approved the construction of the world's largest AI campus in Abu Dhabi during his recent Middle East tour. As part of the agreement, the U.S. has lifted export restrictions on advanced chips, which had previously blocked the UAE from accessing cutting-edge American AI hardware, due to concerns about technology reaching China.

The pilot phase of this AI initiative has already begun. If successful, the UAE plans to export the AI platform, named Aion Sentia, globally. Aion Sentia will connect every essential urban function—from traffic control and public transport to smart homes, healthcare, and street lighting—through a single AI engine named MAIA.

MAIA, the advanced AI engine, will not only issue commands to devices but also predict future needs, keeping the city prepared in advance.

UAE Leading the AI Race

The UAE has long made AI a core part of its national development strategy. National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been actively promoting foreign investment in the AI sector. The UAE’s AI ambitions are mirrored by Saudi Arabia, which is also building its futuristic AI-driven Neom City.