- UAE residents now get free ChatGPT Plus access as part of a strategic partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government.
- The deal includes a massive AI infrastructure project in Abu Dhabi, aiming to launch a 1GW supercomputing cluster by 2026.
- OpenAI’s broader “for Countries” initiative supports localized AI while the UAE commits to match AI investments in the US market.
ChatGPT Plus
What happened? The UAE is now offering free access to ChatGPT Plus, a premium version of the AI chatbot, to its entire population.
Normally, ChatGPT Plus costs USD 20 per month. However, it will now be free for all UAE residents as part of OpenAI’s deal with the UAE government. This will give millions access to OpenAI’s most advanced tools to complete a multiple of tasks.
Why? This offering is part of a major partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government. The partnership also includes the development of a large scale AI infrastructure project in Abu-Dhabi called Stargate UAE. Moreover, this facility aims to host a one-gigawatt AI supercomputing cluster. It aims to initially be operational with 200 megawatts by next year.
The partnership includes several global tech companies including Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, Microsoft, and G42, a UAE-based AI firm backed by Microsoft. The goal is to position the UAE as a regional AI hub and a major player in the global AI landscape.
AI Investment
In a bigger picture, this partnership is part of OpenAI’s broader “OpenAI for Countries” programme. This programme is designed to develop AI systems localized in their language and for their culture whilst maintaining global standards. In addition, this initiative aims to build data center capacity whilst ensuring data privacy. Thus, it aims to ensure responsible AI use and alignment with national policies.
In return, the UAE is committing to matching its domestic AI investments with equivalent investment in the United States. According to Axios, the combined spending could reach up to USD 20 billion split between the Gulf and the US.
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