The technology landscape in the United Arab Emirates is witnessing remarkable activity, embodied in an ambitious partnership recently announced with OpenAI, a global leader in AI research.
This move – described as strategic – places the UAE at the heart of AI developments, opening wide horizons for integrating these technologies across various sectors of the state, amidst circulating information about the possibility for every resident to obtain a premium ChatGPT Plus subscription at no cost.
A Multifaceted Partnership and the Ambitious "Stargate UAE" Project
In the details of this collaboration, a massive project named "Stargate UAE" has emerged, which is a colossal AI-dedicated data center to be established in Abu Dhabi.
Reports indicate that this center is part of OpenAI's expanded program known as "OpenAI for Nations," which aims to help countries build their own AI systems and tools, in close cooperation with the United States.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described this project as having a "bold vision," expressing his hope that it will contribute to delivering the benefits of AI, such as improving healthcare, modernizing education, and providing clean energy, to broader regions worldwide.
This alliance includes prominent names in the technology world, among them Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank, in addition to the UAE's G42 AI company, which is backed by Microsoft.
Through this consortium, the participating parties aspire to make the UAE a key pivot point for AI in the region.
The first phase of the "Stargate UAE" center, with a capacity of approximately 200 megawatts, is expected to commence operation next year, as part of a plan to build a 1-gigawatt AI computing system.
Other sources indicated that this center is part of the "UAE-US AI Campus" in Abu Dhabi, with a total capacity reaching 5 gigawatts, and that the initial operation of a portion of "Stargate UAE" will be in 2026.
Will ChatGPT Plus Become Free for Everyone in the UAE?
One of the most prominent aspects that sparked widespread interest following the announcement of this partnership is the discussion about the possibility of every person living in the UAE getting a free ChatGPT Plus subscription.
This subscription provides advanced features such as access to the latest GPT-4o models, faster responses, and priority access during high-demand periods.
Should this materialize, the UAE would be the first country globally to offer this advanced feature to all its residents.
In contrast, some journalistic analyses clarified that the official statement issued by OpenAI regarding "Stargate UAE" mentioned that the partnership would make the UAE "the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide – giving people across the country access to OpenAI's technology."
This statement did not explicitly indicate that "ChatGPT Plus" subscriptions would become free for all residents.
Media outlets have sought clarification from OpenAI and G42 on this point.
It is worth noting that the basic version of ChatGPT is already available in the UAE, with paid options for expanded features.
When ChatGPT itself was asked about this matter, it referred to media reports, but clarified that OpenAI had not officially confirmed the premium version's gratuity, and that it remains a paid service unless an official announcement otherwise is made.
Goals Beyond Infrastructure
The ambition of this project is not limited to building massive data centers; it also aims to bring AI closer to people.
Through its "OpenAI for Nations" program, OpenAI seeks to develop AI models tailored to each country's local needs, including supporting local languages and adhering to specific national laws.
This approach also contributes to protecting user data and ensuring the fair and responsible use of AI.
Reciprocal Investments and Future Vision
The agreement also includes a pledge by the UAE to match its domestic AI spending with an equivalent investment in AI projects in the United States.
Reports indicated that this could reach a total investment of $20 billion, split between the Gulf region and the United States.
Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI, is expected to visit other countries in the Asia-Pacific region to explore similar partnerships, suggesting that the UAE's experience might be just the beginning of helping more countries establish their own AI systems.
This collaboration, according to OpenAI, will help the UAE leverage AI tools in vital sectors such as government, energy, healthcare, education, and transportation, driving innovation and economic growth.
"UAE Stargate" is anticipated to provide regional infrastructure and computing power capable of serving up to half the world's population within a 2000-mile radius.
