Sheikh Hamdan witnesses Dhs2b data centre launch
- 4 hours ago
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, witnessed the announcement of a groundbreaking Dhs2 billion hyperscale data centre.
The facility will be developed and operated by du, the UAE’s leading telecommunications and digital services provider, in collaboration with Microsoft.
The announcement was made during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to Dubai AI Week 2025, which is being organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation.
The week-long event runs from April 21 to 25, 2025 across multiple locations including the Museum of the Future, AREA 2071, and Emirates Towers Boulevard.
The hyperscale data centre will be developed in multiple phases, progressively expanding capacity to meet the growing demand.
Microsoft will serve as the primary tenant, leveraging the facility’s advanced computing capabilities to support its cloud infrastructure and next-generation digital services.
Sheikh Hamdan said, “The project marks a significant investment in digital infrastructure, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in adopting the latest technologies, innovations, and digital services.”
He added, “Data is the wealth of the future and the foundation of technological progress. We remain committed to supporting local and international companies as we harness technology in innovative ways to benefit our communities.”
The project marks a pivotal leap in Dubai’s strategy to transform its digital ecosystem, going beyond core telecom services and establishing critical infrastructure that supports future economies.
The centre will play a vital role in addressing the surging demand for AI capabilities and sovereign cloud solutions, as well as a demand for increased digital capacity across the region.
The announcement of du’s new hyperscale data centre project supports the objectives of the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, announced in 2024 by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The plan focuses on developing national talent, integrating AI in the government sector, and expanding data centre infrastructure in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan witnessed the launch of Dubai’s first-ever PhD programme in Artificial Intelligence, announced by the University of Birmingham Dubai during Dubai AI Week 2025.
The launch of the programme marks a new chapter in Dubai’s journey to become a global hub for AI, supporting the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and reinforcing the emirate’s long-term vision to foster innovation through advanced education and research.
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of initiatives that contribute to both local and global innovation ecosystems.
“The academic sector plays a key role in shaping our future. Its contribution is crucial in preparing the talent and expertise required to drive Dubai’s future readiness,” he said.
WAM