In a major move toward advancing artificial intelligence, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be the first country in the world to give free access to ChatGPT Plus for all its citizens and residents. This premium version of ChatGPT, which usually costs $20 per month, will now be available at no cost, thanks to a new partnership with OpenAI.
The initiative is part of a larger project called Stargate UAE, which aims to build the world’s biggest AI supercomputing cluster. This high-tech data center is being developed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based tech firm G42 and OpenAI.
The announcement was made during the launch of OpenAI’s plans to set up this state-of-the-art AI infrastructure in the UAE, marking a significant step in the global AI race.
UAE to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus Access
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making history by becoming the first country in the world to give free access to ChatGPT Plus to all of its citizens and residents. ChatGPT Plus is the premium version of the popular AI chatbot created by OpenAI, and it usually costs $20 (about AED 73) per month. But in the UAE, people will soon be able to use it for free.
This free access is part of a big partnership between the UAE and OpenAI, the company that developed ChatGPT. The goal is to make the UAE a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). As part of the plan, OpenAI will work with UAE-based technology firm G42 to build a massive AI project called Stargate UAE.
This project is part of OpenAI’s “OpenAI for Countries” program. The aim of this program is to help different countries build their own AI tools and technologies while working closely with the United States. This will allow countries like the UAE to have more control over their digital future.
this was an extremely smart thing for you all to do and i’m sorry naive people are giving you grief. https://t.co/iTkQj9c9QW
— Sam Altman (@sama) May 16, 2025OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that this is a “bold vision” and explained that it can help bring the benefits of AI, such as better medical care, modern education, and cleaner energy, to more places around the world.
Many major technology companies are part of this UAE project. These include:
- Oracle
- Nvidia
- Cisco
- SoftBank
- G42
These companies are working together to support the UAE’s goal of becoming a leading hub for artificial intelligence in the Middle East and the world.
This move by the UAE is a big step toward making advanced AI tools available to everyone. It also shows how serious the country is about using technology to improve everyday life. With free ChatGPT Plus access, better AI infrastructure, and global partnerships, the UAE is positioning itself as a global center for future technology.
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What is ChatGPT Plus?
ChatGPT Plus is a more powerful version of the regular ChatGPT. It works faster, gives better answers, and can handle more complex tasks. Many people use ChatGPT Plus for writing, learning, business, and research. Now, thanks to this move by the UAE government, everyone in the country will be able to use it without paying anything.
What is Stargate UAE?
Stargate UAE will be a huge AI data center located in Abu Dhabi. Once completed, it will become one of the largest AI supercomputers in the world. It will include a powerful 1-gigawatt computing cluster, which is like a brain made of computers that can do very fast calculations and help develop advanced AI systems.
The first part of this supercomputer, around 200 megawatts of computing power, is expected to be ready by next year. This project will help in building smarter tools and services powered by AI for education, health, business, and more.
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UAE Residents Groundbreaking AI Initiative
One of the most exciting parts of the UAE’s partnership with OpenAI is that everyone living in the country will soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus. This premium version of the chatbot gives users powerful AI tools that millions already use for writing, studying, coding, planning, and more, and now, people in the UAE will be able to enjoy it at no cost.
But this initiative goes beyond just building large AI data centers. The goal is to make AI more accessible and tailored to local needs. Through its “OpenAI for Countries” program, OpenAI aims to develop AI systems that work in local languages, respect regional laws, and protect user data, all while ensuring AI is used responsibly and fairly.
As part of the deal, the UAE has also committed to matching its domestic AI investment with equal spending in the United States. Axios reports that this could result in a total investment of up to $20 billion, shared between the Gulf region and the U.S.
Looking ahead, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, plans to visit other countries in the Asia-Pacific region to explore similar partnerships. OpenAI hopes the UAE is just the beginning, and that more nations will soon build their own AI capabilities with support from the initiative.
