Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity technologies for over four decades, has further solidified its role in the UAE’s AI transformation with its participation in the newly launched Stargate UAE consortium—one of the flagship initiatives at the forthcoming UAE-US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi.
The Stargate project, announced last week during a high-profile ceremony attended by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marks the beginning of large-scale AI infrastructure development at the campus. Cisco has joined the Stargate consortium as a preferred technology partner, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, alongside senior representatives from G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, and SoftBank Group.
Under the agreement, Cisco will provide advanced networking, security, and observability infrastructure for OpenAI workloads and other advanced AI compute operations. The project envisions a 1GW capacity AI data centre in Abu Dhabi, with the first 200MW tranche set for delivery in 2026.
“With the right infrastructure in place, AI can transform data into insights that empower every organisation to innovate faster, tackle complex challenges, and deliver tangible outcomes,” Robbins said. “Cisco is proud to join this consortium to harness the power of AI and deliver the infrastructure that will enable tomorrow’s breakthroughs.”
Cisco’s participation in Stargate is not the beginning, but rather the culmination of its multi-year partnership efforts across the UAE’s public and private sectors. The company recently extended its strategic partnership with G42, a key regional player in AI and cloud computing, to accelerate innovation in secure, AI-native digital infrastructure.
Through this collaboration, Cisco is delivering trusted solutions in areas such as real-time observability, data centre automation, and end-to-end security, all of which are central to building AI systems that are both high-performing and ethically aligned.
Cisco is also involved in the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP). AIP is an investment platform led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), MGX (a UAE-based fund), Microsoft, NVIDIA and xAI. Its goal is to mobilise up to $30 billion in capital to build and operate cutting-edge data centres and AI compute hubs across strategic global markets.
Cisco’s engagement in the UAE forms part of a broader Gulf-wide AI agenda, which was underscored by recent visits from Cisco executives to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. These visits led to the announcement of several new partnerships aimed at supporting the secure and sustainable development of AI ecosystems across the region.
In Saudi Arabia, Cisco joined the HUMAIN initiative—designed to create one of the world’s most open and resilient AI infrastructures—bringing its global expertise to complement the Kingdom’s bold AI ambitions.
In Qatar, Cisco signed a letter of intent with the Ministry of Interior to support the country’s digital transformation, AI infrastructure, and cybersecurity goals.
Cisco’s Gulf expansion is not limited to partnerships alone. The company recently launched a $1 billion Global AI Investment Fund, unveiled its AI Defense platform to secure enterprises during their AI transformation, and released the world’s first open-source AI security model. These efforts reinforce Cisco’s positioning as a trusted AI infrastructure partner, especially in regions where digital sovereignty and cybersecurity are top policy priorities.
With a legacy of enabling secure connectivity, Cisco now aims to lead the next wave of transformation: one that embeds intelligence, adaptability, and trust into every layer of the digital stack. As the Gulf countries ramp up investment in national AI infrastructure, Cisco’s technology—and its strategic alliances—place it at the centre of this transformation.
“The Gulf region's AI revolution is truly impressive,” said Robbins. “Cisco is proud to play a key role in ensuring it is implemented intelligently, securely, and with trusted partners to drive maximum value for governments, businesses, and consumers.”
