Dubai: A recent partnership between the UAE and OpenAI has generated significant excitement and some confusion concerning access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of the AI tool. Media headlines suggested that all UAE residents would receive free access to this service, prompting questions about the validity of these claims.

The UAE–OpenAI initiative is a component of the larger Stargate UAE project, which aims to establish the world’s largest AI data centre in Abu Dhabi. This expansive 10-square-mile campus will be developed in collaboration with partners including G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, and Cisco, and is expected to provide substantial AI computing power by the year 2026.

However, despite the enthusiasm, ChatGPT Plus is not free. OpenAI’s official announcement specifies nationwide access but does not confirm free personal subscriptions. While various media reports implied that all residents would have access to ChatGPT Plus, this has not been verified by OpenAI or the relevant UAE authorities. Currently, the free version of ChatGPT (GPT-3.5) remains available in the UAE, while ChatGPT Plus continues to require a subscription fee of $20 per month, unless announced otherwise.

Residents may still benefit from using ChatGPT through public platforms as the tool becomes integrated into government applications, educational institutions, or healthcare portals, even without a Plus subscription. However, unless OpenAI makes a clear statement to the contrary, free premium access cannot be assured.

The recent hype can be attributed to various interpretations by media outlets regarding the announcement. While it is true that the UAE is working to make ChatGPT tools more accessible, the primary focus is on improving infrastructure and integration rather than on making the service affordable. The Stargate UAE project aims to position the country as a leader in global AI, being the first instance of OpenAI establishing such a facility outside of the United States. The centre will utilize a mix of nuclear, solar, and gas energy to drive AI innovation across a region that encompasses nearly half of the world’s population. Therefore, while there is ample reason for excitement, it is important to clarify that this excitement may not stem from the reasons currently circulating in the media.