logo
OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman praises UAE collaboration following Stargate UAE launch

OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman praises UAE collaboration following Stargate UAE launch

Al Etihad24-05-2025

24 May 2025 12:51
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman has praised the UAE following the launch announcement of next-gen AI infrastructure cluster, Stargate UAE.Posting on his social media platforms, Altman lauded the governments 'working to make this happen'."great to work with the UAE on our first international Stargate! appreciate the governments working together to make this happen," he posted.The OpenAI head's post comes a day after he attended a partnership announcement in Abu Dhabi to launch Stargate UAE, a one-gigawatt compute cluster that will run in the new five-gigawatt AI campus being developed as part of a UAE-US collaboration.Stargate UAE will be built by G42 and operated by OpenAI and Oracle. The collaboration will also include Cisco, offering its zero-trust security and AI-ready connectivity, and SoftBank Group, as well as NVIDIA which will supply the latest NVIDIA Grace Blackwell GB300 systems.Altman also praised Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Board Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Council."Sheikh Tahnoon has been a great supporter of OpenAI, a true believer in AGI, and a dear personal friend," Altman said.Stargate UAE will provide best-in-class infrastructure, nation-scale compute, and low latency inferencing to deliver AI that will meet the demands of an increasingly intelligent world. The first 200-megawatt AI cluster is expected to go live in 2026.
The larger UAE–US AI Campus that will house Stargate UAE was announced last week in Abu Dhabi during US President Donald Trump's visit to the UAE capital. It builds on a new framework by the US and UAE governments, the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, to deepen cooperation and collaboration on AI, and deliver safe, secure, and responsible tools that delivers long-term benefits for humanity.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bespin Global outline their mission to take public sector enterprises to the cloud
Bespin Global outline their mission to take public sector enterprises to the cloud

Tahawul Tech

time3 hours ago

  • Tahawul Tech

Bespin Global outline their mission to take public sector enterprises to the cloud

Bespin Global, an e& enterprise company outlined in detail how their agile product portfolio is designed to help public sector enterprise navigate and circumvent issues they face when migrating to public sovereign cloud models, during an exclusive roundtable held at the Ritz-Carlton JBR earlier this week. The roundtable was held in conjunction with CPI Media Group, and was moderated by CNME Editor Mark Forker. The topic of the roundtable was entitled, Next-Gen Governance: Powering the Future of Digital Government with Cloud. The series of presentations were delivered by the executive leadership from Bespin Global, which included; Mouteih Chaghlil, CEO of Bespin Global, Bassam Abbasi, Head of Network & Security, at Bespin Global and Sami Wahab, VP – Sales at Bespin Global. The roundtable was attended by IT leaders from the following public sector organisations. Abu Dhabi Mobility Sharjah Muncipality Smart Umm Al Quwain Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC) Dubai Legal Department EDGE Group Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai Dubai Culture & Arts Ministry of Finance Dubai Air Navigation Services The first session of the roundtable was delivered by Bespin Global CEO, Mouteih Chaghlil, who laid out how the company wants to be the partner of choice for public sector entities looking to accelerate their migration to the cloud. 'We know there are many challenges, and data classification is certainly a big one. What sort of data do I have, what is it, where is it, where does it need to reside, this sort of data classification needs to be determined, but it's not always black and white, and AI is only as good as the data you have. However, what we do know is that 32% of public sector entities in the UAE, KSA and Egypt are already utilising cloud-based customer engagement solutions, and 40% of them are planning to adopt cloud in the next few years. The opportunity is huge, and we know we have the capabilities to build secure and compliant hybrid/multi-cloud environments that support sovereignty and resilience,' said Chaghlil. There was a huge level of engagement and interaction between Chaghlil and those in attendance, with some outlining their desire to remain with SaaS cloud models. Chaghlil then highlighted how public services digitised with cloud and AI can really deliver localised innovation at scale. 'Our cloud-native solutions are tailored to national priorities and governance models. Our AI models trained on localised data ensure cultural and legal alignment. Integration with legacy systems enables a smooth transition without disruption and scalable infrastructure enables a rapid deployment of new services. In addition to this, having real-time access to unified data across agencies improves responsiveness and collaboration,' said Chaghlil. The next presentation was delivered by Bassam Abbasi, Head of Network & Security, at Bespin Global, and he stressed the importance of building a secure hybrid/multi cloud strategy in order to to ensure smooth migrations for mission-critical systems. There was a sharp focus on the role of AI in relation to cybersecurity, and how it builds that resilience and transparency that governments require. Abbasi insisted that people will remain at the core of digital transformation. 'Trust, transparency and control are critical, they are non-negotiable, and we get that. We can implement sovereign cloud models to protect sensitive citizen data, whilst maintaining that transparency on the data in line with clear governance rules and policies. We offer opt-in features and self-service options that ultimately empower users. At the end of the day, that is our goal, we want to take people with us in a way in which they maintain autonomy on the direction, but also have agility with accountability,' said Abbasi. Abbasi also highlighted how the landscape was change dramatically over the next few years. 'Within the next 1-3 years the picture is going to look a lot different due to the fact that public sector enterprises are going to pivot to either hybrid multi-cloud (33%), multiple public clouds (31%) or hybrid cloud (23%), with only 7% planning to remain solely in a datacentre, or private cloud. This change is driven by the need to modernize infrastructure to meet increasing demand for digital citizen services, improve the citizen experience, strengthen data security, and harness the power of emerging technologies. In addition, IT leaders are motivated to modernize their IT environment to prepare for future crises,' said Abbasi. The final presentation of the roundtable was delivered by Sami Wahab, VP – Sales at Bespin Global. His presentation examined the elements that come beyond migrations, and was focused on how Bespin can unlock innovation and increase efficiency in the public sector. He highlighted how Bespin Global's products can 'modernise workforces' across the public sector. 'We know we have the capability to boost productivity and enhance collaboration with our state-of-the-art modern workforce solutions with a secure framework that ensures seamless connectivity and data protection, and it is ultimately designed to transform the way you work. In summary, we design, develop and implement bespoke cloud solutions that specifically cater to your unique business needs,' said Wahab. Wahab concluded a brilliant presentation by giving those attendance some predictions that they envisage over the next few years. 'In terms of the multi-cloud, by 2027, 40% of enterprises will rely on interwoven IT architectures across cloud, core, and edge to support dynamic, location-agnostic workflow priorities. When it comes to GenAI on the cloud, by the end of this year, 70% of enterprises will form strategic ties to cloud providers for GenAI platforms, developer tools, and infrastructure, requiring new corporate controls for data and cost governance – and in terms of cloud data mobility, over the next 12 months, 55% of the G2000 will adopt multi cloud data logistic platforms to enable active data migration between hyperscalers to optimise costs, reduce vendor dependencies, and improve governance,' said Wahab.

‘Fresh ideas' mooted to close gap in US-Iran N-deal talks
‘Fresh ideas' mooted to close gap in US-Iran N-deal talks

Gulf Today

time8 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

‘Fresh ideas' mooted to close gap in US-Iran N-deal talks

Donald Trump has said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu against attacking Iran because Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a deal on limiting that country's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions. He said this would be an unprecedented agreement as US as well as UN inspectors would be included on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) teams monitoring Iran's nuclear sites. His declared objective is to make certain Iran is not preparing to make nuclear bombs. Trump's statement suggests that that US is ready to accept Iran's "red line" — the right to enrich uranium — which Iran insists cannot be violated by any agreement. Iran demands domestic enrichment to 3.67 per cent for use in civilian power plants. The US previously flip-flopped on this issue. Washington demanded total shutdown of the nuclear programme, then agreed on low enrichment. The programme was launched in the 1950s when the US provided a nuclear reactor to Iran under the Atoms for Peace Programme long before the shah was toppled by anti-US clerics in 1979. To reassure the US and regional neighbours over its retention of a low level of enrichment, Tehran has suggested creating a consortium comprising the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Iran. Tehran would make partners shareholders in exchange for funding and give them access to its technologies and provide them a with stake in developing an independent capacity for nuclear power generation. The UAE has already established the first civil nuclear power plant in the Arab world with four operational reactors which should produce 25 per cent of Emirati electricity. The region's oil producing states have expressed eagerness to establish such facilities for a future when customers cut oil imports for environmental reasons or oil fields are no longer productive enough to generate large revenues. Since Omani-mediated indirect talks began this spring, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened to pull out if the US called for Iran to shut down its enrichment programme. Araghchi said this would amount to a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty to which Iran is a signatory. Trump stated on May 25th that the latest round of negotiations was 'very, very good.' He said there could be an announcement, presumably of a breakthrough, in coming days. "We've had some real progress, serious progress." Since he has threatened military action if no deal is reached, he added, "I would love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people dead." Trump is eager for a foreign policy success while Tehran is under heavy domestic pressure for a deal as sanctions have crippled the economy and impoverished Iranians. Following the fifth round of talks round in Rome on May 23rd, the US State Department declared, "The talks continue to be constructive — we made further progress, but there is still work to do" when the sides "meet again in the near future." Araghchi contended the issues were complicated and needed further discussions. He said mediator Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi had suggested fresh ideas to close the gap between the sides. Busaidi posted on X, "We achieved some progress, although it was not conclusive" and expressed the wish that 'outstanding issues can be clarified in coming days that allows for meaningful progress toward a sustainable agreement." During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 agreement limiting Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions. After a year, Iran responded by breaching the 3.67 per cent enrichment limitation, produced a large stockpile of 20 and 60 per cent enriched uranium and cut inspections by the IAEA. Sixty per cent is near the 90 per cent for weaponization. Iran has dismissed Western allegations that it intends to make nuclear arms and could produce enough highly enriched uranium for several devices from the existing stocks of 60 per cent pure. Experts have said Iran could take up to 18 months to make bombs once the decision to do so was taken. While no date has been declared for a sixth round of talks, the experts from the sides are said to be holding discussions behind the scenes. To show willingness to compromise, Iran has proposed sending its stocks of highly enriched uranium to a third country, presumably Russia. Moscow had been assigned this role under the original agreement reached during the Obama administration. Al Monitor cited the International Crisis Group's Iran Project Director Ali Vaez who said negotiators are moving toward a framework agreement that would postpone the enrichment issue until a more permanent deal is reached. 'When they realized that the gaps are too wide to bridge, they decided to go for a framework agreement in order to prevent the process from collapsing. What is very likely in the next few weeks is a statement of principles — basically very broad strokes that would defer some of the most difficult issues." Unwise pressures could torpedo this tactic. Reuters reported that the US, UK, and Europe are preparing to urge the IAEA board at its meeting beginning on June 9th to declare Tehran in breach of its non-proliferation commitments, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which Tehran ratified in 1970. This prohibits the development, testing and transfer of nuclear weapons. Since Iran has not violated the NPT, this would mark the first time this step has been taken in almost 20 years and could "enrage Tehran." Such action could add further add complications to negotiations for a deal the US and Iran are striving to reach or, even, scupper the negotiations altogether. As he is prone to taking unconsidered, wrongheaded moves, this proposed move has Trump's fingerprints all over it and he could end up shooting himself in the foot. It must be recalled that when Trump pulled out of the earlier deal and slapped down 1,500 sanctions, Europe, Russia and China could not deliver on promised benefits by circumventing the US grip on international banking and multinational business. This did not happen. Tehran responded by advancing and expanding nuclear research and development far beyond the basic level and escaped tight IAEA monitoring.

Nearly half of UAE consumers feel AI not meeting their customer service expectations
Nearly half of UAE consumers feel AI not meeting their customer service expectations

Khaleej Times

time8 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Nearly half of UAE consumers feel AI not meeting their customer service expectations

More than half (54 per cent) of UAE consumers say that failing to understand emotional cues is more of an AI trait than human, a study showed. According to research by ServiceNow, the AI platform for business transformation, Despite rapid advancements in AI and its widespread use in customer service, UAE consumers overwhelmingly (at least 68 per cent) prefer to interact with people for customer support. ServiceNow's Consumer Voice Report 2025 surveyed 17,000 adults across 13 countries in EMEA — including 1000 in the UAE — and explores consumer expectations when it comes to AI's role in customer experience (CX). Based on the findings of the research, the perceived lack of AI's general emotional intelligence (EQ) is a critical factor in shaping consumer sentiment in this regard. Fifty one per cent feel agents having a limited understanding of context is more likely to be AI; and an equal number say misunderstanding slang, idioms and informal language is more likely AI. Meanwhile, nearly two thirds (64 per cent) of UAE consumers feel repetitive or scripted responses are more of an AI trait. 'The key takeaway for business leaders is that AI can no longer be just another customer service tool – it has to be an essential partner to the human agent. The future of customer relationships now lies at the intersection of AI and emotional intelligence (EQ). Consumers no longer want AI that just gets the job done; they want AI that understands them,' commented William O'Neill, Area VP, UAE at ServiceNow. High stakes, low trust The report also highlights a clear AI trust gap, particularly for urgent or complex requests. UAE consumers embrace AI for speed and convenience in low-risk/routine tasks — 23 per cent of UAE consumers trust an AI chatbot for scheduling a car service appointment and 24 per cent say they are happy to use an AI chatbot for tracking a lost or delayed package. However, when it comes to more sensitive or urgent tasks, consumer confidence in AI drops. Only 13 per cent would trust AI to dispute a suspicious transaction on their bank account with 43 per cent instead preferring to handle this in-person. Similarly, when it comes to troubleshooting a home internet issue, only 20 per cent of consumers across the Emirates are happy to rely on an AI chatbot, with 50 per cent preferring to troubleshoot the issue with someone on the phone. Humans and AI For all the frustrations with AI — almost half (47 per cent) of UAE consumers say their customer service interactions with AI chatbots have not met their expectations — the research does suggest that consumers consider AI as crucial for organizations looking to deliver exceptional customer experiences. For one, in addition to seamless service (90 per cent), quick response times (89 per cent) and accurate information (88 per cent), more than three quarter (76 per cent) of UAE consumers expect the organizations they deal with to provide a good chatbot service. But perhaps more interestingly, 85 per cent of consumers across the Emirates expect the option for self-service problem solving, which does indicate the need for organizations to integrate AI insights and data analysis into service channels to anticipate customer needs before they arise. 'While AI in customer service is currently falling short of consumer expectations, it is not failing. Rather, it is evolving. There is an opportunity for businesses to refine AI by empowering it with the right information, making it more adaptive, emotionally aware, and seamlessly integrated with human agents to take/recommend the next best action and deliver unparalleled customer relationships,' added O'Neill. 'Consumers do not want less AI – they want AI that works smarter. By understanding the biggest pain points, companies can make AI a trusted ally rather than a frustrating barrier.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store