Rio de Janeiro Set to Build an AI City

Rio de Janeiro is planning to build an AI City — a dedicated technology hub featuring data centers, submarine cables, and office spaces for startups and remote workers.

The campus, led by local infrastructure company Elea Data Centers, is expected to be completed by 2027. It aims to create at least 10,000 jobs for the local population.

The project will be located in the Olympic Park, which already hosts a data center. Elea plans to add another large facility to support artificial intelligence and cloud applications.

As part of the development, more than 200,000 square meters of land near the park will be reforested to create a greener environment for those working and living in the area.

A key feature will be a designated zone where technology firms can set up offices and digital nomads can work remotely, supported by high-speed internet.

The city will also include residential areas, schools, colleges, and cultural spaces to support a wider community.

The data center will start with an energy capacity of 1.5 GW, with plans to expand to 3.2 GW over the next two years. Instead of using water for cooling—common in other Brazilian data centers—this facility will use fan-based systems to reduce water consumption.

To attract professionals and researchers, the local government plans to install high-performance computing systems, including supercomputers like the Santos Dumont.

“This project can help bring in professionals who are developing future technologies. It positions Brazil and Rio de Janeiro as part of the global digital economy,” said Alessandro Lombardi, president and founder of Elea Data Centers.

Rio is Brazil’s second-largest city, contributing about US$62 billion to the country’s economy. It currently has 21 operational data centers, run by companies such as Ascenty and Equinix. Last month, Equinix launched its third facility in the city.