The United Arab Emirates is reportedly set to become the first country in the world to offer free access to ChatGPT Plus to its entire population. This information, reported by several media outlets, is said to be part of a broader partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government.
Big Doubts
According to these sources, the agreement first and foremost includes the construction of a massive AI data center called "Stargate UAE" in Abu Dhabi. This project involves the creation of a one-gigawatt computing cluster, with a first 200-megawatt phase expected to be operational next year. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the project a "bold vision," and highlighted the data center's potential to harness AI capabilities in areas such as healthcare, education, and clean energy.
This initiative is part of the "OpenAI for Countries" program, designed to help nations develop their own AI systems in collaboration with the United States. The partnership involves tech giants such as Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and G42, a Middle Eastern AI company backed by Microsoft.
The stated goal goes beyond simply building data centers. It involves creating AI solutions tailored to each country's local needs, including integrating national languages and complying with local regulations. The UAE has also pledged to invest as much in AI projects in the United States as it spends domestically, for a total estimated at $20 billion.
But when it comes to this free ChatGPT Plus subscription, the sources are more vague and even question the veracity of these announcements. OpenAI has reportedly never officially confirmed the granting of free ChatGPT Plus subscriptions to residents of Dubai or the UAE. These sources point out that no company representative has made a public statement regarding such a government partnership.
The confusion appears to stem from a misinterpretation of official announcements regarding improved accessibility to AI, amplified by social media. Residents could have had access to trial versions or confused it with the standard free version of ChatGPT, which remains available worldwide.
This situation illustrates in any case how quickly misinformation can spread in the age of AI! Pending official clarification from OpenAI or the UAE government, users wishing to access ChatGPT Plus must still subscribe through official channels at the standard rate of $20 per month.
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