OpenAI CEO Meets UAE President to Advance AI Goals

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has met with the United Arab Emirates’ president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss closer collaboration in artificial intelligence. The meeting, reported by UAE state media and Reuters, focused on advancing joint work in AI research and practical applications. Officials emphasized that the partnership supports the UAE’s ambition to create a comprehensive AI ecosystem and strengthen its knowledge-based economy.

The UAE, a major oil producer, is heavily investing in AI infrastructure. It is developing one of the world’s largest AI data centers and has launched an Arabic-language AI model to broaden regional innovation. The country also seeks to deepen ties with the United States to gain access to advanced AI technology. Earlier this year, both governments signed an agreement allowing the UAE to build one of the largest AI campuses outside the U.S., announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to Abu Dhabi in May.

The UAE’s efforts come amid growing competition in the Middle East. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are rapidly expanding their data center capacity to establish AI dominance. As of early 2025, Saudi Arabia operated more than 300 megawatts of capacity compared to the UAE’s 250 megawatts. However, Saudi Arabia’s planned projects total 2,200 megawatts, far surpassing the UAE’s 500 megawatts in the pipeline, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com.

The International Institute of Strategic Studies notes that AI readiness varies across the region. Israel currently leads, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia following, while other Gulf nations lag behind. These differences underline the intense race to secure technological leadership in artificial intelligence.

In parallel, OpenAI continues to scale its capabilities globally. The company recently released the latest version of ChatGPT as part of its long-term vision to make intelligence widely accessible. That goal is supported by large-scale investments, including Nvidia’s $100 billion commitment to expand OpenAI’s computing power. This partnership highlights how industrial-scale infrastructure is becoming central to the future of generative AI, positioning both companies as key players in the field.