The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France have signed a major artificial intelligence (AI) partnership, leading to the construction of a massive data center and AI campus in France. The investment, announced by the Elysée Palace, is expected to range from €30 billion to €50 billion, making it one of the largest AI projects in Europe.
A Strategic AI Partnership
The agreement was formally signed in Paris on Thursday, February 6, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Emirati President Mohammed Ben Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the French government, the AI-focused campus will be developed by a consortium of Emirati and French technology leaders, led by the MGX investment fund, which is supported by the UAE.
The precise location of the data center has not yet been determined, but a formal investment announcement is expected at the Choose France 2025 summit in May, an event dedicated to promoting France’s economic attractiveness.
Europe’s Largest AI Data Center
This AI campus is set to become Europe’s largest and will play a key role in developing computing power for AI technologies. It is expected to rival AI development hubs in the United States and China, reinforcing France’s ambition to be a leader in AI innovation.
The French government has already designated 35 new sites across the country to accommodate AI data centers, which require massive storage and high computing power. Given the energy-intensive nature of AI, these data centers will be crucial in ensuring Europe’s competitiveness in AI technology.
