OpenAI CEO discusses AI ambitions with UAE president

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss potential collaborations in artificial intelligence (AI). The discussions focused on strengthening partnerships between OpenAI and UAE counterparts, particularly in AI research and practical applications.

UAE's AI Ambitions

The UAE is actively developing one of the world's largest AI data centers and working on a new Arabic-language AI model. According to the UAE state news agency:

"This cooperation aligns with the UAE's ambition to establish an integrated AI ecosystem, supporting the country's development plans and its drive to build a knowledge-based economy."

Middle East AI Race

• The UAE and Saudi Arabia are competing to lead AI development in the region
• Saudi Arabia currently has:
  • Existing capacity: 300+ megawatts
  • Future projects: 2,200 megawatts planned
• UAE has:
  • Existing capacity: 250+ megawatts
  • Future projects: 500 megawatts planned

International Partnerships

In May 2025, the UAE signed an agreement with the U.S. during President Trump's visit to Abu Dhabi to build one of the largest AI campuses outside America.

Nvidia recently announced a $100 billion investment in OpenAI to expand compute capacity, highlighting the growing importance of AI infrastructure.

The meeting between Altman and UAE leadership underscores the increasing global competition in AI development and the strategic partnerships forming around this transformative technology.