PARIS

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to invest €30 billion ($31 billion) for an artificial intelligence (AI) data center in France, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Friday on X.

Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited France on Thursday, where he was hosted by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron for dinner at the Elysee Palace. The dinner led to discussions of cooperation on AI.

The UAE and France agreed on a joint framework agreement for a 1-gigawatt (GW) AI data center.

For its part, the French presidency said the center would be the core of a new AI “campus” and will have up to a gigawatt of capacity, "which represents investments of 30 to 50 billion euros.”

The two countries are expected to make further investments in AI, such as establishing more AI data centers and purchasing advanced chips, according to a joint statement.

Bin Zayed wrote on X that he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and “discussed ways to reinforce the longstanding strategic relations between our two nations.”

The two leaders also explored ways to enhance ties, particularly in the fields of economy, advanced technology, energy, sustainability and culture, according to the post.

“We also witnessed the signing of the UAE-France Framework for AI Cooperation,” bin Zayed added, emphasizing that the framework represents “a reflection of our commitment to strengthen cooperation and foster collaboration towards a stable and prosperous future for all.”

According to the UAE’s state news agency, WAM, the discussions also covered regional and global developments, with both sides exchanging views on key issues.

The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to continued consultation and collaboration to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond while addressing global challenges.

As part of the agreement, the two countries plan to invest in a 1-gigawatt AI complex in France and establish a strategic AI partnership, WAM reported.

The framework also seeks to explore new opportunities for collaboration in projects and investments supporting advanced chip technology, data center infrastructure, and workforce development.

Additionally, the agreement includes the creation of virtual “data embassies” to strengthen AI and cloud computing infrastructure in both nations.

The broad scope of activities and infrastructure development outlined in the framework underscores the strength and dynamism of UAE-France relations, WAM added.

Both countries will closely monitor progress on joint AI initiatives as part of the cooperation, the agency said.

Since assuming the UAE presidency on May 14, 2022, bin Zayed has visited France twice -- first in July 2022 and in May 2023.

In recent years, UAE-France relations have deepened, with both signing dozens of agreements and memoranda of understanding across various sectors, including defense, economy, culture and environment, strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Bin Zayed’s visit comes days after the UAE Ministry of Defense announced Jan. 30 that the country inducted its first Rafale fighter jet into service as part of an extensive defense deal with France, WAM reported.

The agreement, signed in late 2021, is valued at approximately €16.6 billion billion) and includes the production of 80 Rafale jets equipped with advanced defense technology, making it one of the most significant military deals in the history of UAE-France relations.

France ranks as the UAE’s fourth-largest trading partner within the EU and sixth in receiving Emirati non-oil exports. It is also the third-largest EU supplier of imports to the UAE, according to 2023 data from WAM.

On the investment front, France is the UAE’s largest European investor, with total foreign direct investment reaching $4.4 billion by the end of 2020, accounting for 20% of all EU investments in the UAE.

Conversely, Emirati investments in France stood at $3.3 billion by the end of 2021, WAM reported.