OpenAI is considering building data centers in the United Arab Emirates, which would significantly strengthen the company's position in the Middle East, Bloomberg reported, with the deal expected to be announced as early as this week.
OpenAI has a long-standing partnership with the UAE. In 2023, the company signed a deal with Abu Dhabi-based G42, which previously received $1.5 billion in investment from Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s major investors. In addition, MGX, an investment firm controlled by a member of the Emirati royal family, participated in OpenAI’s recent funding round and plans to join the Stargate project, which is currently stalled by Trump’s tariffs.
The company is also looking to partner with governments that are friendly to the U.S. Earlier this month, OpenAI launched the OpenAI for Countries program, which aims to build local infrastructure to serve customers abroad and promote the spread of “democratic AI.”