South Korea has officially agreed to partner with the United Arab Emirates on the U.S.-backed Stargate AI data centre project, a massive initiative aimed at creating one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence campuses outside the United States. The agreement was announced during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to the UAE for a high-level summit.

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Strategic AI Collaboration Between South Korea and UAE

Under a strategic framework agreement, South Korea and the UAE will expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, focusing on AI investment, infrastructure development, AI supply chains, and research and development in AI technologies. The collaboration aligns with South Korea’s national goal of becoming a regional hub for AI innovation.

President Lee, who assumed office on June 4, 2025, has prioritized AI-driven economic growth amid a challenging global economic outlook impacted by U.S. tariffs on technology exports. By joining Stargate, South Korea aims to strengthen its technological capabilities and foster new opportunities for domestic tech companies.

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Overview of the Stargate UAE Project

The Stargate UAE project is part of a U.S.-brokered deal to construct the world’s largest network of AI data centres outside the United States. Despite prior restrictions on exporting advanced technology to the UAE due to its ties with China, U.S. firms are participating in the initiative.

The first phase, the 1-gigawatt Stargate UAE project, is being developed by the UAE state-backed company G42 in partnership with major global technology firms, including OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco Systems, and Japan’s SoftBank Group.

South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have already signed initial agreements to supply memory chips for the project’s AI data centres, further cementing their role in the global AI supply chain.

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Significance for South Korea and the AI Industry

The partnership marks a major step for South Korea’s ambitions to position itself as a regional leader in artificial intelligence. By contributing cutting-edge memory chips and technological expertise, South Korea is strengthening its footprint in the global AI infrastructure ecosystem.

Experts note that this collaboration could accelerate AI innovation in the Middle East and Asia, foster international tech partnerships, and enhance the competitiveness of South Korean firms in the AI sector.

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Global Implications of the Stargate Project

The Stargate AI initiative reflects the growing geopolitical and economic importance of AI technology. With participation from U.S., Japanese, and South Korean tech firms, the project underscores a strategic push to expand AI capabilities globally while navigating international trade and technology transfer restrictions.

For investors and industry watchers, the project represents a significant development in AI infrastructure, highlighting opportunities for cross-border tech collaboration and the increasing strategic importance of AI in economic growth and national security.