Latest news with #OpenAIforCountries'
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UAE offers free ChatGPT Plus to all residents in landmark AI deal as part of Stargate
ChatGPT maker OpenAI is teaming up with the United Arab Emirates to build one of the world's most powerful artificial intelligence computing complexes. As part of the company's new 'OpenAI for Countries' initiative, following US President Donald Trump's visit to the region, UAE will become the first country to enable ChatGPT across the country. Show more Show less
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
UAE to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus Access to All Residents in Global First
In a groundbreaking move, residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon receive free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of OpenAI's AI chatbot. This initiative makes the UAE the first country worldwide to extend free ChatGPT Plus access to its entire population. This offering is part of a broader and ambitious partnership between the UAE government and OpenAI, including developing a massive AI data centre, Stargate UAE, in Abu Dhabi. The initiative is poised to mark a transformative moment in the global AI landscape. The Stargate UAE project will feature a one-gigawatt AI computing cluster, with an initial 200-megawatt phase expected to be operational by next year. As reported by Axios, Stargate UAE is a cornerstone of OpenAI's 'OpenAI for Countries' initiative, a program designed to help nations develop tailored AI tools and infrastructure while maintaining close alignment with U.S. standards. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the collaboration as 'a bold vision,' aimed at spreading AI benefits, such as enhanced healthcare, modern education, and sustainable energy solutions, across the globe. The UAE's AI push involves leading global tech companies such as Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and G42, an AI firm based in the Middle East and backed by Microsoft. These collaborations are intended to position the UAE as a regional hub for AI innovation. A key highlight of this initiative is the universal availability of ChatGPT Plus in the UAE, giving every resident access to advanced AI tools that can assist with writing, education, programming, and daily planning. OpenAI hopes that by making AI more accessible, it can help democratize technology and encourage innovation across all sectors of society. More than just infrastructure, the partnership is about bringing AI closer to local communities. The 'OpenAI for Countries' program aims to customise AI systems to support native languages, comply with local regulations, and safeguard user data, promoting responsible and inclusive AI deployment. Further solidifying the UAE's commitment, the government has agreed to match its domestic AI investments with equivalent funding in the United States. Axios reports that the total investment could reach up to $20 billion, strengthening AI collaboration between the Gulf and the U.S. Looking ahead, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, is set to explore similar partnerships in the Asia Pacific region. The UAE, it seems, is only the beginning, as OpenAI expands its vision of country-specific AI ecosystems worldwide.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Everyone living in Dubai will soon get free ChatGPT Plus subscription
People living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon be able to use ChatGPT Plus for free. This makes the UAE the first country in the world to give free access to the premium version of ChatGPT to its entire population. The plan is part of a big partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government, which also includes building a huge AI data centre called Stargate UAE in Abu Dhabi. This project is a major step for both sides. OpenAI and its partners are working on building a powerful one-gigawatt AI computing cluster, with the first part — around 200 megawatts — expected to be ready next year. advertisementAccording to Axios, Stargate UAE is part of OpenAI's 'OpenAI for Countries' programme, which helps other nations build their own AI systems and tools while working closely with the United States. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the project 'a bold vision' and said it's a way to bring the benefits of AI — like better healthcare, modern education, and cleaner energy — to more places around the UAE deal also includes big names like Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and G42, an AI company from the Middle East supported by Microsoft. Together, they're aiming to make the UAE a key location for AI in the region. One of the most exciting parts of this partnership is that every person living in the UAE will get access to ChatGPT Plus, which gives people access to OpenAI's most advanced AI tools. Millions already use it to get help with writing, studying, coding, planning and more. Now, in the UAE, anyone will be able to use it without project is not only about building large data centres. The goal is to bring AI closer to the people. Through OpenAI for Countries, OpenAI wants to create AI that fits each country's local needs — such as working in their own languages and following their own rules. This also helps protect people's data and makes sure AI is used in a fair and responsible UAE has also agreed to match its AI spending at home by investing the same amount in AI projects in the United States. Axios reports that this could add up to $20 billion in total investment, split between the Gulf and the ahead, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, will visit other countries across Asia Pacific to discuss similar partnerships. OpenAI says it hopes the UAE is just the beginning, and that it will soon help more countries set up their own AI systems.
Arabian Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Abu Dhabi's Stargate to Become World's Largest AI Data Hub
Abu Dhabi is set to host the world's largest artificial intelligence data centre outside the United States, following a landmark agreement between OpenAI, G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank, and Cisco. The project, named Stargate UAE, will be situated at the newly established UAE–US AI Campus in the capital. The Stargate UAE initiative is part of OpenAI's broader 'OpenAI for Countries' programme and represents a significant AI investment by the UAE. The first phase, a 200-megawatt deployment, is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2026. The entire facility is projected to reach a capacity of 5 gigawatts, spanning 10 square miles, making it the largest AI data centre complex outside the United States. The project will incorporate NVIDIA's most advanced Grace Blackwell GB300 AI servers, with an estimated 100,000 chips powering about 1,400 servers. G42, a UAE-based technology holding group, will fund the construction, while OpenAI and Oracle will operate the facility. SoftBank, NVIDIA, and Cisco are also key collaborators. The initiative emerged from negotiations between the UAE and the Trump administration, which recently overturned prior chip export restrictions and approved the export of up to 500,000 AI chips annually to the UAE. In return, the UAE committed to funding comparable AI infrastructure in the U.S. through investments like MGX. ADVERTISEMENT As part of the agreement, the entire population of the UAE will gain access to ChatGPT Plus subscriptions, marking a global first. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the global impact of establishing the first Stargate outside the U.S., citing advancements in medicine, education, and energy. The Stargate initiative is also seen as a strategic move to serve nearby markets in Africa and India more efficiently. The project proceeds following the rescission of previous export controls on AI chips to the UAE. The U.S. Commerce Department has committed to establishing a bilateral working group to ensure compliance with security and responsible AI infrastructure deployment standards. This collaboration aims to align international developments with U.S.-based AI systems. The Stargate UAE project is part of a broader plan to create the world's largest AI data centre complex outside the United States, spanning 10 square miles and ultimately reaching 5 gigawatts of capacity. The facility will incorporate NVIDIA's most advanced Grace Blackwell GB300 AI servers, with an estimated 100,000 chips powering about 1,400 servers.
Politico
08-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Sam Altman wants industry to lead the future
Presented by Two years ago, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stood before the Senate as the cautious steward of an unpredictable future. He floated ideas like licensing AI tools, urged data opt-outs for users, and warned — gravely — that artificial intelligence might pose atomic-level threats to humanity. The 2023 hearing felt more like an emergency briefing than a roadmap. On Thursday, Altman returned to Capitol Hill with a new banner: leading the 'Intelligence Age'. He flew into the hearing from Abilene, Texas — home to the flagship site for Project Stargate, a nationwide data center megaproject that will cost as much as $500 billion. His company just launched an 'OpenAI for Countries' initiative aimed at replicating Stargate around the world. And World, another firm Altman co-founded, launched in the U.S. last week to scan irises and provide 'proof of humanity' in a digital age crawling with AI bots. 'I believe the next decade will be about abundant intelligence and abundant energy,' Altman told lawmakers. 'Making sure that America leads in both of those — that we are able to usher in these dual revolutions that will change the world we live in, I think, in incredibly positive ways — is critical.' Altman swung through the Senate as Washington courses with AI optimism. Republican policymakers have taken up President Donald Trump's pledge to 'dominate' on AI and are openly aligned with AI acceleration. Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) opened the hearing with a warning – not about the risks of AI, but the danger that regulations could 'choke' U.S. innovation. He promised to soon unveil his own 'light-touch' AI legislation that would create a regulatory sandbox. He also floated the idea of a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation. Altman added fuel to Cruz's admonitions, calling the European Union's more cautious approach to AI 'disastrous.' Even among a field of industry heavyweights, Altman stood out for how little appetite he showed for constraining AI. His three fellow witnesses — Microsoft President Brad Smith, AMD CEO Lisa Su, and CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator — said yes when Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) asked if the National Institute of Standards and Technology needs to set standards for AI model development. Altman diverged: 'I don't think we need it. It can be helpful' he said. In another sign of loosening the reins, Altmans plans to soon release an open-weight AI model, partly in response to China's open-source offerings like DeepSeek. Above all, he advocated for 'freedom', saying, 'We need to give adult users a lot of freedom to use AI in the way that they want to use it.' Altman's new, no-holds-barred approach to his industry has its critics, including the entrepreneur Gary Marcus, who appeared alongside Altman in Congress two years ago and went on to write 'Taming Silicon Valley.' In an essay penned last month, Marcus recalled Altman fielding a question while on stage about whether OpenAI's latest system had violated copyright when it produced a comic in the style of 'Peanuts'. Altman dismissed the suggestion that the output was IP theft. The ChatGPT maker is facing multiple lawsuits over whether it violated copyright while training its models. Marcus called Altman's approach to AI copyright concerns 'a far cry' from the CEO's 2023 statements that 'creators deserve control over how their creations are used and what happens sort of beyond the point of them releasing it into the world.' One of the clearest windows into the AI world Altman is creating came from a question posed by Hawaii Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, who asked the CEO: 'Are you saying self-regulation is sufficient at the current moment?' 'No, I think some policy is good,' Altman said, but added, 'I think it is easy for it to go too far.' He sharpened the point elsewhere in the hearing: 'I think standards can help increase the rate of innovation, but it's important that the industry figure out what they should be first.' Meanwhile, Altman acknowledged AI is growing, feeding off the vast information its users share with it and presenting a new challenge for privacy. But if Altman thought the industry should solve that problem, he kept it to himself. Instead, he kicked it to the lawmakers. 'This is a gray area,' he said, 'for you to think about and take quite seriously.' turkish opposition banned Elon Musk's X has blocked the account of a Turkish opposition leader at the request of the nation's government. POLITICO's Eliza Gkritsi reported on the move, which X announced in a post today. The company's global government affairs team said X is challenging the request in court and that they 'strongly disagree' with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government order. Elon Musk has maintained that X is a 'safe place for free speech.' While critics have accused X of deploying a 'double standard' in agreeing to governments' censorship requests, the company's post notes it could be shut down in Turkey for failing to comply. The legal challenge to the ordered ban, which is only in effect for users in Turkey, may take years to conclude. mission to mars NASA could send rockets to Mars as soon as next year. POLITICO's Sam Skove reported Wednesday on the announcement that NASA is 'evaluating every opportunity, including launch windows in 2026 and 2028, to test technologies that will land humans on Mars,' according to spokesperson Bethany Stevens. The news surprised many NASA employees, who would normally know about such announcements, according to a senior official granted anonymity to speak about internal matters. Reaching Mars is a longtime obsession of Trump ally Elon Musk, and NASA administrator nominee Jared Isaacson said in his testimony that he would 'prioritize' a Mars mission. SpaceX's Starship launch system is a major contender for the trip, but Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket could also be a candidate to carry a payload to Mars. post of the day THE FUTURE IN 5 LINKS Stay in touch with the whole team: Mohar Chatterjee (mchatterjee@ Steve Heuser (sheuser@ Nate Robson (nrobson@ and Daniella Cheslow (dcheslow@
