🔴 A French-Style "Stargate"?

Strategic note for our paying subscribers.

Introduction

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) want out of their status as an AI swing state, that precarious balancing act between the United States and China, by building a technological empire of their own. France sits at the heart of that strategy.

With a massive investment of €30 to €50 billion, the Emirates are not merely investing: they are building critical infrastructure in Europe, including the continent's largest AI campus and a 1-gigawatt data center.

The goal is clear: reduce dependence on American semiconductors, sidestep the constraints of the Chinese cloud, and secure sovereign access to computing power. But if Paris does not negotiate skillfully, this deal could erode French digital sovereignty and leave Abu Dhabi in a dominant position in one of the key sectors of the future.

Key takeaways:

✅ The Emirates no longer want to be an "AI swing state": they are using France to cement their independence.

✅ Abu Dhabi is looking to put its AI beyond the reach of both American and Chinese restrictions.

✅ France benefits from massive investment, but risks losing control of its digital infrastructure.

✅ Washington is watching this rise with concern, seeing the Emirates as a future rival rather than a docile ally.

✅ AI has become strategic infrastructure: France must preserve its autonomy or end up dependent.

1. The Emirates and the end of their AI swing state status