On September 11, Reuters learned from six sources with inside knowledge that, due to the escalating regional tensions, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reworking its plans for a monumental 5-gigawatt AI data center project—one of the largest endeavors of its kind beyond U.S. borders. Initially, the plan was to build a sprawling 26-square-kilometer campus in Abu Dhabi. However, the project might now be transformed into a distributed network of data centers scattered throughout the UAE. To bolster the security of these facilities against potential drone and missile strikes, authorities are contemplating the installation of air defense systems and the possibility of constructing underground data centers. This strategic pivot has not been previously disclosed. The UAE-U.S. AI campus project, a collaborative effort involving several prominent U.S. tech firms, was originally earmarked for announcement during President Trump's visit to the UAE. This initiative holds significant importance for the UAE's economic diversification and its ambition to emerge as a global leader in AI technology.