Latest news with #OpenAIforCountries
India Today
9 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Dubai govt gifting free ChatGPT Plus to everyone? Is it real, what is the truth, and where is the catch
Yes, it is real. If you live in Dubai or any place else in the UAE, you'll soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus — the premium version of OpenAI's popular chatbot. This move makes the UAE the first country in the world to offer ChatGPT Plus — which usually costs $20 (roughly Rs 1,700) a month — to its entire population at no cost. The plan is part of a major agreement between OpenAI and the UAE government, under a programme called OpenAI for Countries. This programme is not just about free AI tools — the bigger goal is to help countries build local AI infrastructure while staying in line with US regulations and global what's the truth behind this? The deal is a big one. As part of the partnership, OpenAI and several global tech companies — including Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank and G42 — are coming together to build a massive AI computing centre in Abu Dhabi. It's called Stargate UAE, and the first phase of the project — around 200 megawatts — is expected to be ready by next year. In total, the facility is planned to reach one gigawatt of computing power, which is huge. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, says the idea is to spread the benefits of AI — like improved healthcare, cleaner energy, and better education — to more people around the what about the catch? Honestly, there doesn't seem to be one — at least, not for the public. If you live in the UAE, you'll be able to use ChatGPT Plus for free, whether it's for writing, coding, studying, or simply getting answers to everyday questions. This version includes OpenAI's most advanced tools and models. For the general public, it's a win. But the real investment is happening behind the According to a report by The New York Times, the partnership includes a huge financial commitment: for every dollar spent by the UAE on local AI development, the same amount will be invested in US-based AI infrastructure. That figure could reach up to $20 billion in total. So, while people in the UAE get free access to advanced AI, the broader plan is to grow OpenAI's influence and ensure US-aligned AI systems become the global while the UAE appears to be leading the charge, this could just be the beginning. OpenAI says its Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, will be visiting other Asia Pacific nations to explore similar deals. If things go well, more countries may get access to ChatGPT and localised AI tools, customised to their languages, cultures and regulations.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Free ChatGPT Plus for everyone in Dubai? It is happening soon
In a global first, people living in the United Arab Emirates will soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of OpenAI's viral chatbot. This move is part of a major partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government—and it's not just about free bigger play? A massive AI infrastructure push. The UAE is set to become home to Stargate UAE, a high-powered AI data centre being built in Abu Dhabi. The plan includes developing a one-gigawatt AI computing cluster—one of the most powerful in the world. The first phase, delivering around 200 megawatts, is expected to be up and running by next partnership signals serious intent: while the UAE ramps up its ambitions to be a global AI hub, OpenAI gains a strategic base to scale its computing capabilities. And for residents? Free access to ChatGPT Plus just made the UAE a lot more to Axios, Stargate UAE is part of OpenAI's new 'OpenAI for Countries' initiative—a program designed to help nations build their own AI infrastructure and tools, while staying closely aligned with the United States. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described it as 'a bold vision,' aiming to extend the benefits of AI—like smarter healthcare, modern education, and cleaner energy—to more parts of the isn't a solo mission. The UAE partnership ropes in major global tech players like Oracle , Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and G42—a leading AI company based in the Middle East and backed by Microsoft. The goal? To position the UAE as a key player in the global AI race and a central hub for innovation in the OpenAI, it's about scale and strategic alliances. For the UAE, it's a fast-track into the AI big leagues—with free ChatGPT Plus access as just the of the most striking parts of this partnership? Everyone living in the UAE will get free access to ChatGPT Plus. That means full access to OpenAI's most advanced AI tools—no subscription already use ChatGPT Plus to write, study, code, plan trips, draft emails, and more. Now, people in the UAE will be able to tap into those tools without paying a dirham. It's a big step toward making cutting-edge AI more accessible, not just for techies, but for everyday this project isn't just about building massive data centres. The bigger idea is to bring AI closer to people—by making it work in local languages, respecting national rules, and protecting user data. Through its OpenAI for Countries initiative , OpenAI wants to help governments build AI that's actually useful for their citizens, not just a generic one-size-fits-all part of the deal, the UAE has also committed to invest as much in AI projects in the United States as it does at home. According to Axios, that could mean up to $20 billion in total investment, split between the Gulf and the US—one of the largest AI funding commitments of its ahead, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is expected to visit countries across the Asia Pacific region to explore similar partnerships. OpenAI says the UAE is just the start—it hopes to help more countries set up their own AI ecosystems, tailored to local needs.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - A false choice is threatening America's lead on AI
Countries that build the most AI infrastructure today will reap the greatest rewards in the coming Intelligence Age. Yet debates about AI investment often wrongly frame it as a binary decision: Build at home or fund projects abroad. That's a false distinction and a losing strategy. To ensure democratic values shape the future of artificial intelligence, countries need to invest in themselves — and in American AI infrastructure. As my boss, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, wrote last summer, only the U.S. and China have the resources and capacity to shape the future trajectory of AI and determine whether it advances in ways that protect freedom, dignity and human agency or whether it becomes a tool of surveillance and repression. Ensuring that democratic values shape the future of AI is the most urgent challenge of our time, and we need to seize this moment and think big, act big and build big — both here and abroad — to ensure that it prevails over authoritarian AI in the competition over the technology's future. The world is not divided neatly into allies and adversaries. Many countries are navigating complex choices as they evaluate what kind of AI systems — and what kinds of values — they wish to adopt. Supporting these nations is not just about competition. It is about offering a meaningful alternative: a version of AI development that upholds individual rights, resists central control and aligns with the long-standing principles of transparency and fairness embedded in the international system. That system isn't perfect, but reforming it from within is preferable to replacing it with one that lacks basic democratic protections. If the U.S. doesn't engage with countries looking to build AI, autocrats will step in to fill that void — and core freedoms may fall by the wayside. That's why we at OpenAI have launched the Stargate Project, which will invest $500 billion in new AI infrastructure in America. And it's the thinking behind our newest initiative, OpenAI for Countries, which is designed to help U.S. friends and allies build their own AI infrastructure on democratic rails, not on the authoritarian version of the technology. You can see what this vision looks like in practice in our partnership with the United Arab Emirates, the first we've struck in the OpenAI for Countries initiative. The partnership includes dual investments: a 1 gigawatt data center complex in Abu Dhabi, with 200 megawatts expected to go live in 2026, as well as United Arab Emirates investment into Stargate infrastructure in the U.S., which will help create jobs and spur economic opportunity across the country. This builds on the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership announced during President Trump's recent visit. As the White House has noted, the UAE has committed to invest in, build or finance U.S. data centers that are at least as large and powerful as those in the UAE. This capital will help fulfill OpenAI's commitment to build more AI infrastructure in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, because we believe it will establish the necessary foundation for us to export the building blocks of democratic AI everywhere. As part of this effort, the UAE — a close American ally and leader in the global push to develop renewable, economically viable sources of energy — will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide, giving people across the country the ability to access OpenAI's technology. But exporting democratic AI requires more than infrastructure. It requires policy: smart export controls that balance innovation and safety, while aligning nations around rights like free expression and safeguards against surveillance. We're working closely with American officials to ensure our international partnerships meet the highest standards of security and compliance. We've also proposed a tiered framework for access to cutting-edge models. Nations committed to democratic AI principles should receive deep technical collaboration and access to advanced models. 'Swing-state' countries that show progress on safeguarding intellectual property could become eligible for inclusion provided they are adding more powerful safeguards against technology transfer. Authoritarian regimes would be excluded. Moving quickly and creatively will also enshrine core principles like freedom of expression, human dignity, competitive markets and transparency. It will ensure that people — not governments — have the ability to direct and shape how they use AI in their lives. And it will win over the 'swing-state' nations that are considering which version of AI to embrace. The U.S. has historically used commercial diplomacy to open markets, secure alliances and extend American values through exports ranging from agricultural technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and communications infrastructure. AI is the next frontier. With a coordinated approach, the U.S. can turn AI into a tool for strengthening global partnerships and driving shared growth. Ultimately, the greatest challenge to democratic AI isn't autocratic governments abroad but domestic inertia here at home. Red tape slows energy projects. Bureaucracy holds back chip production. Data policy stifles innovation. Countries under centralized control can move much more quickly to build new AI infrastructure. China approved the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors last year alone, with 10 more coming online this year. Stargate is one way forward. I recently visited our first site in Abilene, Texas, where thousands of workers are building the largest AI training center in the country. We've heard from other countries that want to build Stargates of their own to ensure their people can benefit from AI's transformative power. OpenAI for Countries is how we help make that happen. AI has brought the world to a historic crossroads. One path expands access to AI in ways that reflect democratic values and protect fundamental rights. The other leads to a future shaped by governments that reject those principles. This is the time to act — by investing boldly at home and working with partners abroad to build a foundation of democratic AI that empowers people and expands opportunity. Chris Lehane is OpenAI's head of global affairs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Business
- The Hill
A false choice is threatening America's lead on AI
Countries that build the most AI infrastructure today will reap the greatest rewards in the coming Intelligence Age. Yet debates about AI investment often wrongly frame it as a binary decision: Build at home or fund projects abroad. That's a false distinction and a losing strategy. To ensure democratic values shape the future of artificial intelligence, countries need to invest in themselves — and in American AI infrastructure. As my boss, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, wrote last summer, only the U.S. and China have the resources and capacity to shape the future trajectory of AI and determine whether it advances in ways that protect freedom, dignity and human agency or whether it becomes a tool of surveillance and repression. Ensuring that democratic values shape the future of AI is the most urgent challenge of our time, and we need to seize this moment and think big, act big and build big — both here and abroad — to ensure that it prevails over authoritarian AI in the competition over the technology's future. The world is not divided neatly into allies and adversaries. Many countries are navigating complex choices as they evaluate what kind of AI systems — and what kinds of values — they wish to adopt. Supporting these nations is not just about competition. It is about offering a meaningful alternative: a version of AI development that upholds individual rights, resists central control and aligns with the long-standing principles of transparency and fairness embedded in the international system. That system isn't perfect, but reforming it from within is preferable to replacing it with one that lacks basic democratic protections. If the U.S. doesn't engage with countries looking to build AI, autocrats will step in to fill that void — and core freedoms may fall by the wayside. That's why we at OpenAI have launched the Stargate Project, which will invest $500 billion in new AI infrastructure in America. And it's the thinking behind our newest initiative, OpenAI for Countries, which is designed to help U.S. friends and allies build their own AI infrastructure on democratic rails, not on the authoritarian version of the technology. You can see what this vision looks like in practice in our partnership with the United Arab Emirates, the first we've struck in the OpenAI for Countries initiative. The partnership includes dual investments: a 1 gigawatt data center complex in Abu Dhabi, with 200 megawatts expected to go live in 2026, as well as United Arab Emirates investment into Stargate infrastructure in the U.S., which will help create jobs and spur economic opportunity across the country. This builds on the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership announced during President Trump's recent visit. As the White House has noted, the UAE has committed to invest in, build or finance U.S. data centers that are at least as large and powerful as those in the UAE. This capital will help fulfill OpenAI's commitment to build more AI infrastructure in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, because we believe it will establish the necessary foundation for us to export the building blocks of democratic AI everywhere. As part of this effort, the UAE — a close American ally and leader in the global push to develop renewable, economically viable sources of energy — will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide, giving people across the country the ability to access OpenAI's technology. But exporting democratic AI requires more than infrastructure. It requires policy: smart export controls that balance innovation and safety, while aligning nations around rights like free expression and safeguards against surveillance. We're working closely with American officials to ensure our international partnerships meet the highest standards of security and compliance. We've also proposed a tiered framework for access to cutting-edge models. Nations committed to democratic AI principles should receive deep technical collaboration and access to advanced models. 'Swing-state' countries that show progress on safeguarding intellectual property could become eligible for inclusion provided they are adding more powerful safeguards against technology transfer. Authoritarian regimes would be excluded. Moving quickly and creatively will also enshrine core principles like freedom of expression, human dignity, competitive markets and transparency. It will ensure that people — not governments — have the ability to direct and shape how they use AI in their lives. And it will win over the 'swing-state' nations that are considering which version of AI to embrace. The U.S. has historically used commercial diplomacy to open markets, secure alliances and extend American values through exports ranging from agricultural technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and communications infrastructure. AI is the next frontier. With a coordinated approach, the U.S. can turn AI into a tool for strengthening global partnerships and driving shared growth. Ultimately, the greatest challenge to democratic AI isn't autocratic governments abroad but domestic inertia here at home. Red tape slows energy projects. Bureaucracy holds back chip production. Data policy stifles innovation. Countries under centralized control can move much more quickly to build new AI infrastructure. China approved the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors last year alone, with 10 more coming online this year. Stargate is one way forward. I recently visited our first site in Abilene, Texas, where thousands of workers are building the largest AI training center in the country. We've heard from other countries that want to build Stargates of their own to ensure their people can benefit from AI's transformative power. OpenAI for Countries is how we help make that happen. AI has brought the world to a historic crossroads. One path expands access to AI in ways that reflect democratic values and protect fundamental rights. The other leads to a future shaped by governments that reject those principles. This is the time to act — by investing boldly at home and working with partners abroad to build a foundation of democratic AI that empowers people and expands opportunity. Chris Lehane is OpenAI's head of global affairs.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Free ChatGPT Plus for all UAE residents? Here's what we know about OpenAI's viral deal
In a first-of-its-kind deal, OpenAI has revealed plans to build a massive computing complex in the United Arab Emirates, following a deal between the Donald Trump administration and the Gulf country, as part of the company's OpenAI for Countries initiative. The news of UAE's partnership with OpenAI has sparked intrigue and confusion online. Many outlets reported that, as part of the deal, all UAE residents would get free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of the popular AI tool. According to a statement by OpenAI, the new partnership includes a Stargate UAE cluster in Abu Dhabi which is expected to go live in 2026 and UAE's investment in US Stargate infrastructure. The new facility will be a joint venture with Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank, Cisco and G42, an Emirati artificial intelligence firm. OpenAI also added that UAE will use OpenAI's tools across the government, energy, healthcare, education, and transportation sectors to help accelerate innovation and economic growth. The statements added that UAE will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide by allowing people across the country to access OpenAI's technology. No. While OpenAI announced nationwide access to its AI tools, it did not say that each resident of the UAE will be provided free personal subscriptions. As of now, ChatGPT's free version (GPT-3.5) is accessible in the UAE, while ChatGPT Plus still costs $20/month. "Starting next week, OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon will kick off an OpenAI for Countries roadshow across Asia Pacific, meeting with governments and potential private-sector partners to discuss opportunities to build out infrastructure and deliver AI services to people in their communities," the AI company said. (Also read: OpenAI model disobeys humans, refuses to shut down. Elon Musk says 'concerning')
