ChatGPT Plus Now Free for UAE Residents Under New OpenAI Deal
In the past days, social media was bursting with claims that ChatGPT Plus is now free for UAE residents, with reference to the UAE’s partnership with OpenAI. This groundbreaking deal is part of the company’s “OpenAI for Countries” initiative. In late May 2025, a significant collaboration was announced between the UAE and OpenAI for the ambitious project, “Stargate UAE”. Following that, there have been reports of offering ChatGPT Plus subscription at no cost to all UAE residents. Here, let’s break down the real case behind the claim.
Decoding ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus is the premium subscription option for the chatbot, which costs $20 per month. It is the paid model that allows users to access quick responses even during in-demand periods. More features include voice conversations, unlimited image generation, custom GPT creation, file uploads, and deep research capabilities.
Breaking Down Strargate UAE
The Stargate UAE is the core of this masterful collaboration. OpenAI is planning to build a colossal AI infrastructure cluster in Abu Dhabi. In fact, this collaboration is the first international deployment of Stargate. The official partners of the project are Oracle, NVIDIA, G42, Cisco, and Softbank. G42 is a well-known artificial intelligence company in the United Arab Emirates.
As stated by OpenAI, this collaboration includes dual investment:
- “A 1GW Stargate UAE cluster in Abu Dhabi with 200MW expected to go live in 2026.
- UAE investment into U.S. Stargate infrastructure, building on the US-UAE AI Accelerated Partnerships (opens in a new window) announced during President Trump’s visit.”
This project will enable the UAE to provide the necessary infrastructure to power nationwide AI adoption. Moreover, this can be taken as the country’s strategic initiative to regionally develop AI, foster innovation, and economic growth across various industries. Additionally, this project will support its ambition to become a global leader in the digital economy.
Is ChatGPT Plus Free for All UAE Residents?
In the press conference that followed the collaboration, OpenAI added that “Under the partnership, the UAE will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide – giving people across the country the ability to access OpenAI’s technology.“ Although the statement suggests the rapid implementation of ChatGPT in the UAE, it does not mention that the paid version, ChatGPT Plus, will be made available free to all UAE residents. So, without an official confirmation from OpenAI’s side, ChatGPT Plus remains a paid service in the UAE.
While not all the residents will be able to avail ChatGPT Plus for free, they will experience the benefits of the advanced features offered by OpenAI in their daily operations. Additionally, the statement includes that the UAE will be the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide. This means that government services, educational institutions, healthcare systems, and various other industry verticals will be able to leverage OpenAI’s tools and technology to enhance their offerings. Besides, such deep integration can enhance government portals and bring advanced diagnostic capabilities to hospitals in the future.
Key Takeaway
While the claims of free ChatGPT Plus fall into an unfruitful event, the collaboration of OpenAI with the UAE will indeed pay back in manifold ways. Here, the key focus is on embedding cutting-edge AI technology into the fabric of society, driving innovation, and promoting the adoption of modern technologies into daily life. The real takeaway from this milestone partnership is the UAE’s bold step towards a future where AI is an integral part of its national infrastructure.
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