France and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to establish a 1-gigawatt data center dedicated to artificial intelligence, involving an investment of $30 to $50 billion. This agreement was announced during a meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed ahead of the Global AI Summit in Paris.

The objective of this project is to strengthen France and Europe’s position in the global AI race against the United States and China. Both countries have committed to collaborating on the development of the AI value chain, purchasing advanced chips, building data centers, and fostering AI talent.

Additionally, France has identified 35 sites for hosting this data center. The initiative also includes the creation of virtual data embassies, contributing to digital sovereignty. These investments will be carried out jointly in both countries to develop independent AI and cloud infrastructures.