① The UAE proposed to establish a factory with the capacity to produce 60 trillion AI tokens through the “Stargate” data center; ② This factory is essentially a new type of data center, designed to transform raw data from AI’s “language” into productivity-enhancing AI “intelligence”; ③ The “Stargate” data center will commence operations in 2026 with a load capacity of 200 megawatts as part of Abu Dhabi’s 5-gigawatt large-scale campus plan.
Cailian News, December 8 (Edited by Liu Jingyi) Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, announced at the recent Milken Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi that the country plans to produce 60 trillion AI tokens via its massive “Stargate” data center.
In the field of artificial intelligence, a token is the basic unit for measuring text length (including punctuation and spaces), which varies by language. A higher number of tokens allows for more complex and refined output results. All data—whether text, images, audio, or video—must first undergo “tokenization” to be interpreted by artificial intelligence.
According to NVIDIA, data centers specifically designed for artificial intelligence are often referred to as “AI factories.” These AI factories are essentially a new type of data center, aimed at efficiently processing massive tokenization tasks, transforming raw data such as those mentioned above from AI’s “language” into AI “intelligence” that can be understood by users.
Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, stated in March this year that a Hopper chip can generate approximately 100 tokens per second for each user, while a megawatt-scale data center can produce 100,000 tokens per second. Of course, as GPU chips continue to evolve and computing speeds increase, the volume of tokens produced will significantly improve.
Al Olama pointed out that the future of currency will point towards AI tokens, which can be converted into key insights and technological intelligence that enhance decision-making quality, improve living standards, and boost productivity.
He emphasized that the UAE is committed to establishing an AI factory with the capacity to produce 60 trillion tokens, which is a crucial step in the UAE's ambition to become a “global smart factory.”
He did not provide a specific timeline for achieving this goal, stating that “many foundational conditions still need to be confirmed.”
This substantial AI token production plan will be realized through the “Stargate” data center. The “Stargate” data center, planned with a load capacity of 1 gigawatt, is expected to begin operations in 2026 with a load capacity of 200 megawatts as part of Abu Dhabi’s 5-gigawatt large-scale campus initiative.
Al Olama stated that while the 5-gigawatt large-scale campus plan has yet to be fully finalized, investments are already in place. As long as partners collaborate with the UAE to ensure access to the necessary resources at the right time, the country is confident in realizing this plan.
He further explained that the plan is not a mere fantasy; capacity will increase in tandem with demand growth. Based on current plans, 5 gigawatts will be the target, with potential increases depending on circumstances.
The benefits of AI are already evident.
The minister pointed out that the use of AI tools in energy production has helped the UAE save approximately AED 500 million (approximately USD 136 million), underscoring the importance of increased investment in this field.
UAE companies, particularly those related to the energy sector, are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to control costs and improve efficiency. For example, ADNOC Distribution, the retail arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has been developing cutting-edge AI tools as a core strategy to further enhance operational effectiveness.
As the UAE accelerates the advancement of its artificial intelligence strategic layout, this AI token initiative aims to strengthen the country's international competitiveness in the technology sector and secure a central global position in the era of the intelligent economy.
