UAE Becomes First Nation to Provide Country-Wide Access to ChatGPT

The UAE has announced a landmark partnership with OpenAI, becoming the first country in the world to provide ChatGPT access to all residents through Stargate UAE—a next-generation AI infrastructure project set to launch in Abu Dhabi.

Forming the backbone of a new UAE-US AI megacomplex, Stargate UAE will house a computing capacity of up to 5 gigawatts, making it the largest artificial intelligence infrastructure development of its kind outside the United States. The facility will span nearly 20 square kilometres in the UAE capital and is designed to serve not just the Emirates, but countries across the Global South.

This bold initiative, revealed in a joint statement by OpenAI and UAE leadership, will accelerate the integration of generative AI across strategic sectors, including energy, government services, education, healthcare, and transportation. The goal is to drive long-term innovation, unlock sustainable economic growth, and provide scalable AI capabilities to a global user base.

With built-in sustainability measures, Stargate UAE will derive its power from a mix of nuclear, solar, and natural gas sources, minimising emissions while delivering on its promise of high-performance computing. This initiative will be supported by a dedicated scientific centre within the complex, which will focus on upskilling talent, supporting R&D, and ensuring long-term digital infrastructure resilience.