newseditor 
Abu Dhabi, UAE — In a historic move that underscores the UAE’s ambitions in the global artificial intelligence arena, all citizens and residents in the country will receive free access to ChatGPT Plus, a premium version of OpenAI’s AI chatbot, typically priced at $20 per month. The announcement comes as part of a sweeping collaboration between OpenAI and UAE-based tech conglomerate G42 under the newly launched ‘Stargate UAE’ initiative.
This initiative marks the UAE as the first country in the world to offer ChatGPT Plus free of charge to its entire population, according to a report by Axios. The offer is a key component of a broader strategy to transform the Emirates into a global AI hub.
The partnership includes plans to build one of the world’s largest AI supercomputing clusters, as part of OpenAI’s new “OpenAI for Countries” framework, designed to support national-level AI infrastructure projects tailored to local priorities.
According to The New York Times, the UAE-based Stargate project will be developed in partnership with major technology players including Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank, Cisco, and G42. The first data center is expected to come online in 2026. Additionally, G42 is set to co-invest in similar OpenAI facilities in the U.S., matching the UAE’s funding dollar-for-dollar. Though OpenAI has not disclosed the total investment, estimates suggest the project could involve tens of billions of dollars across both nations.
The partnership is a key part of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s broader vision to build a global network of next-generation AI data centers. His “Stargate” project is envisioned as a chain of ultra-high-capacity data hubs designed to support the future of AI computing. The UAE’s commitment to this vision aligns with a recent U.S.-UAE deal to establish a massive AI campus in Abu Dhabi powered by 5 gigawatts of energy—comparable to the power needs of an entire U.S. state like Minnesota.
However, the partnership has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers and policy analysts. Congressman Ro Khanna questioned why such transformative infrastructure isn’t being built domestically in states like Pennsylvania or Ohio. Meanwhile, supporters, including former Trump-era advisor David Sacks, argue that collaborating with Gulf allies like the UAE is a strategic move to counterbalance Chinese influence in global AI development.
Altman dismissed the criticisms as shortsighted. “The idea that this work should only be done in one country shows a lack of understanding,” he said, defending the partnership as both practical and geopolitically sound.
With this bold move, the UAE is not just offering its population free access to next-generation AI tools—it is also positioning itself as a key player in the global race for AI leadership.
