Abu Dhabi/Dubai – May 27, 2025 — In a groundbreaking announcement that cements the UAE’s position as a global AI powerhouse, OpenAI has confirmed that all residents and citizens of the United Arab Emirates will soon enjoy free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of its widely used AI chatbot. The move is part of a broader strategic partnership between OpenAI and G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology firm.
A World-First Initiative
This nationwide rollout, the first of its kind globally, will eliminate the $20 monthly subscription fee for ChatGPT Plus, giving individuals, students, entrepreneurs, and businesses in the UAE free access to advanced AI tools. The offer is part of the newly launched “OpenAI for Countries” program, which aims to help nations develop AI infrastructure aligned with national priorities.
Stargate UAE: The World’s Largest AI Supercomputing Hub
At the heart of the collaboration is Stargate UAE, a massive data center project that, once completed, will become the largest AI supercomputing cluster in the world. Built in partnership with major global tech players such as Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank, and Cisco, the first phase of the facility is expected to go live in 2026.
The Stargate initiative will serve as the nerve center for OpenAI’s ambitions to scale artificial intelligence globally, aligning with CEO Sam Altman’s call to world leaders to rapidly invest in next-generation computing infrastructure.
Bilateral Investments and a New AI Campus
The partnership doesn’t stop at UAE borders. As part of the agreement, G42 will match OpenAI’s investments dollar-for-dollar in new AI data centers located in the United States. Additionally, a separate U.S.-UAE venture will see the creation of a 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu Dhabi, reportedly powerful enough to supply energy to an entire U.S. state such as Minnesota. Once completed, the facility will be the largest AI hub outside the United States.
Global Vision, Political Tensions
While the partnership has been lauded by many in the tech industry, it has also sparked political debate in Washington. U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) questioned why such an advanced AI initiative wasn’t built in domestic states like Pennsylvania or Ohio, stating:
“What happened to ‘America First’? Why don’t we put that center in Pennsylvania or in Ohio?”
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman responded firmly, defending the decision:
“This was an extremely smart thing for you all to do, and I’m sorry naive people are giving you grief.”
Meanwhile, figures such as former Trump advisor David Sacks praised the partnership as a strategic counterbalance to China’s growing AI influence in the Middle East.
A Middle Eastern AI Powerhouse
The UAE’s latest moves represent a significant leap forward in its ambitions to lead the next wave of AI innovation. The country is betting big on artificial intelligence, not just as a technological tool, but as a cornerstone of its future economy.
From free access to premium AI tools to building record-breaking AI infrastructure, the UAE is ensuring that its citizens and residents are not just participants but leaders in the global AI era.
Source: The Arabia Stories
