UAE to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus for Everyone in Groundbreaking AI Partnership

In a groundbreaking move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to become the first country in the world to offer free ChatGPT Plus subscriptions to all its residents. This initiative is part of a massive partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government, aimed at revolutionizing AI accessibility and infrastructure in the country.

The collaboration will also see the construction of a state-of-the-art AI data center, dubbed Stargate UAE, in Abu Dhabi. This center, part of OpenAI’s OpenAI for Countries program, will include a powerful one-gigawatt AI computing cluster, with an initial 200 megawatts expected to be operational next year.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the project as “a bold vision,” highlighting its potential to enhance areas like healthcare, education, and clean energy by bringing the benefits of AI to more people globally.

The UAE partnership features major tech players such as Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and Middle Eastern AI company G42, which is backed by Microsoft. Together, they plan to establish the UAE as a leading hub for AI in the region.

A key highlight of this partnership is universal access to ChatGPT Plus, granting UAE residents free access to OpenAI’s most advanced AI tools. This premium service is widely used for writing, studying, coding, planning, and more—now available to millions in the UAE at no cost.

But the initiative goes beyond technology. Through OpenAI for Countries, OpenAI is working with governments to develop AI systems tailored to each nation’s needs, respecting local languages, laws, and data privacy standards. This ensures fair, responsible, and secure use of AI.

The UAE has also committed to match its domestic AI spending with equivalent investments in the United States, a move that could result in up to $20 billion in total investments split between the Gulf and the US.

Looking ahead, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, plans to visit other Asia-Pacific countries to explore similar partnerships, with the UAE serving as a model for future collaborations.