A planned $20 billion partnership with Qai puts Brookfield at the center of Qatar’s efforts to develop AI infrastructure as Gulf countries compete for a larger share of the global computing market. 

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Brookfield’s new Doha office, opened on October 25, gives the investment firm a local base for its global credit business, including Oaktree, and strengthens its presence in a region attracting substantial investment in technology and infrastructure. The move comes as Brookfield prepares to pursue a separate $20 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure venture with Qai, the AI company backed by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Although the office opening does not mark a new construction milestone for the venture, the two developments reflect the growing commercial relationship between Brookfield and Qatar. 

The investment firm already manages around $20 billion in assets across the Gulf Cooperation Council, covering credit, infrastructure, real estate and private equity. Its Doha presence gives it a closer connection to a market seeking to expand beyond its traditional economic strengths, while the planned AI partnership offers a more direct route into the development of computing infrastructure. 

What the $20 Billion Partnership Involves 

Announced in December 2025, the proposed joint venture between Brookfield and Qai aims to develop integrated AI facilities in Qatar and selected international markets. The plans include an Integrated Compute Center designed to provide access to high-performance computing, which is needed to train and run advanced AI models. Brookfield expects to draw on its Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Fund as part of a broader program targeting up to $100 billion in global AI infrastructure investment. 

The original announcement did not set out a detailed construction schedule or explain when the full $20 billion would be deployed. Those details will matter to companies looking for potential contracts in data center construction, electrical systems, cooling, networking and computing equipment. Until individual projects and their timelines become clearer, the scale of the proposed investment offers an indication of ambition rather than a measure of infrastructure already delivered. 

Qatar Enters a Competitive AI Market 

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also investing in AI infrastructure, with both seeking to attract technology companies and establish themselves as destinations for computing-intensive businesses. Qatar brings substantial financial resources and access to energy to this competition, but developing a functioning AI industry will also require advanced chips, specialist engineers and the technical expertise needed to operate large computing facilities. 

The commercial case will depend on more than the ability to build data centers. Operators need reliable electricity, effective cooling and high-speed connectivity, along with customers willing to pay for computing capacity over the long term. For Qatar, attracting those customers and developing the expertise to support them will help determine whether the planned facilities become part of a sustainable technology industry rather than isolated infrastructure projects. 

Brookfield’s new office gives the firm a stronger local presence, while the Qai partnership establishes the scale of its planned involvement in Qatar’s AI ambitions. The next meaningful developments will be details about project locations, financing, construction schedules and technology partners. These will provide a clearer picture of how the venture is progressing and where opportunities may emerge for businesses involved in building and operating AI infrastructure. 

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