The first in the world! UAE allows everyone to use ChatGPT Plus for free

Source: Wall Street News

**UAE to Become First Country Offering Free ChatGPT Plus to All Citizens and Residents**  

The UAE is set to become the first nation globally to provide free ChatGPT Plus subscriptions (originally priced at $20/month) to all its citizens and residents.  

This initiative follows a major cooperation agreement recently signed between the UAE and OpenAI, centered around the **"Stargate UAE"** project—an ambitious plan to build the world's largest AI supercomputing cluster. The free ChatGPT Plus offering is part of this broader deal.  

Notably, UAE residents will not only gain access to ChatGPT Plus at no cost but will also benefit from **customized AI tools** tailored to Arabic language and local regulations in the future.  

### **The Bigger Game Behind "Free AI": Building the World’s Largest AI Data Center**  

As part of the deal, OpenAI will construct an **AI data center in Abu Dhabi** with a total capacity of **5 gigawatts**, covering approximately **10 square miles**—consuming as much electricity as **five nuclear power plants**. This will be the **largest AI data center** in the world and the first "Stargate" project outside the U.S.  

Reports indicate that the project brings together multiple tech giants:  

- **Oracle** is providing cloud computing support  

- **NVIDIA** is supplying cutting-edge chips  

- **SoftBank, Cisco**, and others are contributing to infrastructure and network architecture  

The first phase, a **200-megawatt facility**, is expected to go live in **2026**.  

In exchange, the UAE sovereign fund has pledged **1:1 matching investments** in U.S.-based AI data centers. According to **Axios**, the total investment could reach **$20 billion**, jointly funded by the Gulf region and the U.S.  

### **"OpenAI for Countries" Plan Advances**  

"Stargate UAE" is part of OpenAI’s broader **"OpenAI for Countries"** initiative, which aims to help nations collaborate closely with the U.S. to develop **localized AI systems and tools**.  

OpenAI CEO **Sam Altman** described the project as a **"bold vision"**, emphasizing its role in **expanding AI benefits—such as improved healthcare, modernized education, and clean energy—to more regions worldwide**.  

Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, revealed that the company is also in talks with **Asia-Pacific countries** for similar partnerships. Analysts suggest the **UAE model** hinges on **"data sovereignty exchange"**—participating countries gain customized AI systems while granting OpenAI partial access to local data for training. This approach balances **regulatory compliance** with OpenAI’s need for **global data expansion**.  

### **"Stargate" Sparks U.S. Political Debate**  

The project has already caused divisions in U.S. politics:  

- **Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna** questioned why priority wasn’t given to states like **Ohio**.  

- **Former Trump advisor David Sacks** viewed it as a strategic move to **counter rival AI development**.  

In response, **Sam Altman** dismissed critics as **"too naïve"**, stressing that **AI advancement requires global resource integration**.  

---  

*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not constitute investment advice. This platform makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information and assumes no liability for any losses resulting from reliance on it.*