AJMAN: Khazna Data Centres has initiated the construction of the Middle East and North Africa region's first AI-optimized data center in Ajman, which will also be the largest in its portfolio. The announcement was made at GITEX Global in Dubai, underlining the UAE's ambition to become a leader in artificial intelligence and digital economy. According to Emirates News Agency, the launch event was attended by prominent figures including Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, and Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. The new 100MW facility, set to be operational by the third quarter of 2025, represents a multi-billion-dirham investment that is expected to significantly boost local employment in AI and position the UAE as a prime location for AI investments and innovation. Khazna's CEO, Hassan Alnaqbi, emphasized the strategic importance of the new data center during the announcement. "The launch of our 100MW AI-optimi zed data center is a testament to Khazna's strong growth and reflects the UAE's readiness to lead in AI innovation," said Alnaqbi. He also noted that the facility would feature 20 data halls, each with a capacity of 5MW, and highlighted that construction has already commenced with completion targeted in just 15 months. The facility, spanning 100,000 square meters, is described as a tier 3 data center and is poised to be a significant step in meeting the increasing power demands of the AI era. The design focuses on energy efficiency and scalability, necessary for supporting high computing power needed for AI applications. Additionally, Khazna has partnered with Etihad Water and Electricity Company to ensure a sustainable electricity supply for the data center. "Our new data center in Ajman has been specifically designed for the high computing power and scalability requirements of AI. Our advanced cooling techniques and energy-efficient modular designs to maximize both energy efficiency and scalability integr ated within this data center will help the UAE anticipate and leverage this revolutionary technology," Alnaqbi added.