Abu Dhabi’s G42 will deploy an 8-exaflop AI supercomputer in India with Cerebras, expanding sovereign AI infrastructure and cross-border tech ties.
Abu Dhabi-backed technology group G42 will deploy a national-scale artificial intelligence supercomputer in India in partnership with US chipmaker Cerebras, expanding cross-border AI infrastructure collaboration between the two countries.
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The system will deliver 8 exaflops of computing capacity, according to a company statement. Exaflop-class machines can process vast datasets at speeds far beyond those of conventional high-performance computing systems, enabling large-scale AI model training and advanced analytics.
The initiative will involve Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The project follows the fifth India-UAE Strategic Dialogue held in December 2025 and comes after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent visit to India.
The supercomputer will operate under India-defined governance frameworks, with all data remaining within national jurisdiction. “Sovereign AI infrastructure is becoming essential for national competitiveness,” said Manu Jain, CEO of G42 India.
Once operational, the system will be accessible to a broad user base, including startups, small and midsize enterprises, research institutions, and government ministries.
Cerebras Chief Strategy Officer Andy Hock noted that the company and G42 have previously deployed Condor Galaxy supercomputers in the United States, highlighting their experience in delivering large-scale AI infrastructure.
The announcement was made during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Financial details and a deployment timeline were not disclosed.
The India deployment follows a series of global expansion moves by G42. Earlier this month, the company signed an agreement with a consortium including Vietnam’s FPT Corporation and Viet Thai Group to develop hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure in Vietnam.
Cerebras, in which G42 holds a stake, recently raised $1 billion in funding to support its growth.
In January, the UAE and Qatar joined Pax Silica, a US-led coalition focused on securing cross-border AI infrastructure and supply chains. UAE sovereign wealth funds, including Mubadala and ADQ, alongside AI-focused investors such as G42 and MGX, are deepening partnerships with US technology firms as part of a broader strategy to strengthen their position in the global AI race.
Why G42 Deployment Matters to MENA
G42’s India deployment signals a shift in Gulf AI strategy from domestic capacity-building to positioning for global infrastructure.
Rather than limiting its focus to the UAE, G42 is exporting sovereign-scale AI infrastructure expertise to one of the world’s largest digital economies. This strengthens bilateral technology ties while positioning the UAE as a capital and infrastructure partner in emerging AI markets.
The emphasis on sovereign governance with data remaining within India’s jurisdiction also reflects a broader global trend toward nationally controlled AI systems. Gulf nations are pursuing similar frameworks as AI becomes a strategic asset tied to security, economic competitiveness, and digital independence.
For MENA, the move underscores how regional AI players are evolving into international infrastructure operators, competing not just in model development but in the ownership and deployment of compute at scale.
As the global AI race increasingly centers on access to chips, data centers, and cross-border alliances, G42’s expansion highlights the UAE’s ambition to shape — not just participate in — the next phase of AI infrastructure development.
