Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon receive free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of OpenAI’s popular AI chatbot, making the UAE the first country globally to offer this to its entire population. This initiative is part of a significant partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government, as reported by India Today.

The collaboration includes the development of a massive AI data center in Abu Dhabi, named Stargate UAE. This facility is envisioned as a powerful one-gigawatt AI computing cluster, with its initial 200-megawatt phase expected to be operational next year. According to Axios, cited by India Today, this project falls under OpenAI’s “OpenAI for Countries” program, aimed at helping nations build their own AI ecosystems in collaboration with the United States.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the venture as “a bold vision” to disseminate AI benefits like improved healthcare and education globally. The deal involves tech giants like Oracle, Nvidia, and Microsoft-backed G42. Beyond infrastructure, the project aims to localize AI, ensuring it caters to national languages and regulations, while promoting responsible use and data protection. The UAE has also committed to matching its domestic AI spending with investments in US AI projects.

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