Latest news with #OpenAIforCountries
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hey Chat, how much do you cost the environment when you answer my questions?
Earlier this week, the United Arab Emirates became the world's first country to offer free access to ChatGPT Plus — the premium version of ChatGPT — to all its citizens. The premium version is faster and more consistent than the normal version; it also can hold voice conversations, upload and analyze your files, and generate its own images for your use. This is just the beginning for OpenAI, ChatGPT's parent company. OpenAI has announced intentions to partner with as many nations as possible through its 'OpenAI for Countries program.' OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has already described the UAE project as a 'bold vision,' per Axios; wrapping artificial intelligence around the world would constitute an even bolder, more radical vision for a global population increasingly dependent on AI. But can the Earth take it? But there are concerns about the vast amounts of natural resources sucked up by AI, depleting reservoirs and requiring additional energy. Meanwhile, politicians, business leaders and climate advocates continue to grapple over the consequences. About 34% of Americans rely on AI to help them accomplish some of their day-to-day activities, per polling from tech monitor Elf Sight. That's evidence of the early adoption of AI — especially because ChatGPT, which marked the beginning of the widespread AI craze, only launched in 2022. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman became a billionaire in the following years. He was also a large donor to U.S. President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and attended his inauguration. The day after the inauguration, he made a public statement thanking the president for investing $500 billion into 'Stargate,' which will develop AI infrastructure for the U.S. 'For (AI) to get built here, to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, to create a new industry centered here, we wouldn't be able to do this without you, Mr. President, and I'm thrilled that we get to,' Altman said, per ABC News. Since Inauguration Day, the Trump administration has poured hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding into Stargate, which is being co-developed by tech giants OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. Thousands of acres near Abilene, Texas, have been earmarked for development, according to The Dallas Express. There is no word yet on how Stargate might affect the state's energy grid — which failed during natural disasters last year, leaving thousands of Texans in temporary darkness — or how it might affect the environment of a state already 41% under drought. Nevertheless, many Texans and national leaders eagerly anticipate economic expansion. And they and the UAE (which is getting its own Stargate through its deal with OpenAI) aren't alone in the rush to AI. OpenAI says that, after its 'unprecedented investment' in American infrastructure, they have 'heard from many countries' petitioning them to integrate AI into their countries, too — meaning personalized digital servants tailored for regional dialects, government structures and social needs and customs. The OpenAI for Countries program is fit for them. But researchers say it may not be fit for the environment. 'Just because this is called 'cloud computing' doesn't mean the hardware lives in the cloud. Data centers (for AI) are present in our physical world ... they have direct and indirect implications for biodiversity,' said Noman Bashir, a climate researcher at MIT. Generative AI drinks a bottle of water per every 100-word email it writes. The electricity required by the massive machines powering programs like ChatGPT, Siri and Alexa is approaching levels equal to that of large countries like Russia, per research from MIT. ChatGPT alone daily uses enough electricity to power the Empire State Building — for a year and a half. Tremendous amounts of fossil fuels, including diesel and crude oil, go into training generative AI. And energy needs are only multiplying. The Harvard Business Review reports that data centers, or the physical facilities that hold information and communications systems (like the 900-acre facility planned for Stargate in Texas), are responsible for 2%-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The volume of data across the world doubles in size every two years. 'There is still much we don't know about the environmental impact of AI but some of the data we do have is concerning,' said Golestan Radwan, who heads a United Nations environment agency. 'We need to make sure the net effect of AI on the planet is positive before we deploy the technology at scale.' Radwan's agency recommends that countries begin tracking AI's environmental impact. At the moment, most countries have few, if any, standards for AI environmental output. They also encourage countries to establish sustainability regulations around AI. Finally, they urge tech companies to streamline their programs and begin recycling components and water. Canny AI researchers are already at work to develop 'green' AI — also known as sustainable or 'net zero' AI — that could minimize the carbon footprints left by generative AI as it sprints across the globe. But researchers also warn that green AI comes at the price of efficiency. The smarter the AI, the more energy it uses. Earlier in May, a Republican-led tax bill proposed barring states from regulating AI for the next 10 years. Last year, state legislatures across the country passed over 100 regulations surrounding AI; the tax bill would prevent state lawmakers from enforcing these regulations. 'We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off,' Vice President JD Vance told AI developers and regulators at a summit in Paris. 'And I'd like to see that deregulatory flavor making a lot of the conversations this conference.' Researchers at the Harvard Business Review recommend ways an individual can reduce their AI-created environmental impact. Use existing AI — don't make your own program. Creating and training AI programs requires vast amounts of energy. There are already a myriad of AI programs available, many for free, and many specific to certain businesses or regions to cater to their personal needs. Use AI only when you really need it. Machine learning models are excellent at helping scientists predict natural disasters and understand diseases. They are less valuable for providing answers, especially when answers are often hallucinated. Writing emails and asking questions of ChatGPT 'may be depleting the Earth's health more than ... helping its people,' say Harvard researchers. Use companies committed to using renewable energy for AI. Some companies are more energy-efficient than other companies. OpenAI plans to use solar energy to power Stargate. In a twist, Microsoft has committed to using AI to develop sustainable energy solutions.
India Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Dubai govt gifting free ChatGPT Plus to everyone? Is it real, what is the truth, and where is the catch
Yes, it is real. If you live in Dubai or any place else in the UAE, you'll soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus — the premium version of OpenAI's popular chatbot. This move makes the UAE the first country in the world to offer ChatGPT Plus — which usually costs $20 (roughly Rs 1,700) a month — to its entire population at no cost. The plan is part of a major agreement between OpenAI and the UAE government, under a programme called OpenAI for Countries. This programme is not just about free AI tools — the bigger goal is to help countries build local AI infrastructure while staying in line with US regulations and global what's the truth behind this? The deal is a big one. As part of the partnership, OpenAI and several global tech companies — including Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank and G42 — are coming together to build a massive AI computing centre in Abu Dhabi. It's called Stargate UAE, and the first phase of the project — around 200 megawatts — is expected to be ready by next year. In total, the facility is planned to reach one gigawatt of computing power, which is huge. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, says the idea is to spread the benefits of AI — like improved healthcare, cleaner energy, and better education — to more people around the what about the catch? Honestly, there doesn't seem to be one — at least, not for the public. If you live in the UAE, you'll be able to use ChatGPT Plus for free, whether it's for writing, coding, studying, or simply getting answers to everyday questions. This version includes OpenAI's most advanced tools and models. For the general public, it's a win. But the real investment is happening behind the According to a report by The New York Times, the partnership includes a huge financial commitment: for every dollar spent by the UAE on local AI development, the same amount will be invested in US-based AI infrastructure. That figure could reach up to $20 billion in total. So, while people in the UAE get free access to advanced AI, the broader plan is to grow OpenAI's influence and ensure US-aligned AI systems become the global while the UAE appears to be leading the charge, this could just be the beginning. OpenAI says its Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, will be visiting other Asia Pacific nations to explore similar deals. If things go well, more countries may get access to ChatGPT and localised AI tools, customised to their languages, cultures and regulations.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Free ChatGPT Plus for everyone in Dubai? It is happening soon
In a global first, people living in the United Arab Emirates will soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of OpenAI's viral chatbot. This move is part of a major partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government—and it's not just about free bigger play? A massive AI infrastructure push. The UAE is set to become home to Stargate UAE, a high-powered AI data centre being built in Abu Dhabi. The plan includes developing a one-gigawatt AI computing cluster—one of the most powerful in the world. The first phase, delivering around 200 megawatts, is expected to be up and running by next partnership signals serious intent: while the UAE ramps up its ambitions to be a global AI hub, OpenAI gains a strategic base to scale its computing capabilities. And for residents? Free access to ChatGPT Plus just made the UAE a lot more to Axios, Stargate UAE is part of OpenAI's new 'OpenAI for Countries' initiative—a program designed to help nations build their own AI infrastructure and tools, while staying closely aligned with the United States. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described it as 'a bold vision,' aiming to extend the benefits of AI—like smarter healthcare, modern education, and cleaner energy—to more parts of the isn't a solo mission. The UAE partnership ropes in major global tech players like Oracle , Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and G42—a leading AI company based in the Middle East and backed by Microsoft. The goal? To position the UAE as a key player in the global AI race and a central hub for innovation in the OpenAI, it's about scale and strategic alliances. For the UAE, it's a fast-track into the AI big leagues—with free ChatGPT Plus access as just the of the most striking parts of this partnership? Everyone living in the UAE will get free access to ChatGPT Plus. That means full access to OpenAI's most advanced AI tools—no subscription already use ChatGPT Plus to write, study, code, plan trips, draft emails, and more. Now, people in the UAE will be able to tap into those tools without paying a dirham. It's a big step toward making cutting-edge AI more accessible, not just for techies, but for everyday this project isn't just about building massive data centres. The bigger idea is to bring AI closer to people—by making it work in local languages, respecting national rules, and protecting user data. Through its OpenAI for Countries initiative , OpenAI wants to help governments build AI that's actually useful for their citizens, not just a generic one-size-fits-all part of the deal, the UAE has also committed to invest as much in AI projects in the United States as it does at home. According to Axios, that could mean up to $20 billion in total investment, split between the Gulf and the US—one of the largest AI funding commitments of its ahead, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is expected to visit countries across the Asia Pacific region to explore similar partnerships. OpenAI says the UAE is just the start—it hopes to help more countries set up their own AI ecosystems, tailored to local needs.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - A false choice is threatening America's lead on AI
Countries that build the most AI infrastructure today will reap the greatest rewards in the coming Intelligence Age. Yet debates about AI investment often wrongly frame it as a binary decision: Build at home or fund projects abroad. That's a false distinction and a losing strategy. To ensure democratic values shape the future of artificial intelligence, countries need to invest in themselves — and in American AI infrastructure. As my boss, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, wrote last summer, only the U.S. and China have the resources and capacity to shape the future trajectory of AI and determine whether it advances in ways that protect freedom, dignity and human agency or whether it becomes a tool of surveillance and repression. Ensuring that democratic values shape the future of AI is the most urgent challenge of our time, and we need to seize this moment and think big, act big and build big — both here and abroad — to ensure that it prevails over authoritarian AI in the competition over the technology's future. The world is not divided neatly into allies and adversaries. Many countries are navigating complex choices as they evaluate what kind of AI systems — and what kinds of values — they wish to adopt. Supporting these nations is not just about competition. It is about offering a meaningful alternative: a version of AI development that upholds individual rights, resists central control and aligns with the long-standing principles of transparency and fairness embedded in the international system. That system isn't perfect, but reforming it from within is preferable to replacing it with one that lacks basic democratic protections. If the U.S. doesn't engage with countries looking to build AI, autocrats will step in to fill that void — and core freedoms may fall by the wayside. That's why we at OpenAI have launched the Stargate Project, which will invest $500 billion in new AI infrastructure in America. And it's the thinking behind our newest initiative, OpenAI for Countries, which is designed to help U.S. friends and allies build their own AI infrastructure on democratic rails, not on the authoritarian version of the technology. You can see what this vision looks like in practice in our partnership with the United Arab Emirates, the first we've struck in the OpenAI for Countries initiative. The partnership includes dual investments: a 1 gigawatt data center complex in Abu Dhabi, with 200 megawatts expected to go live in 2026, as well as United Arab Emirates investment into Stargate infrastructure in the U.S., which will help create jobs and spur economic opportunity across the country. This builds on the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership announced during President Trump's recent visit. As the White House has noted, the UAE has committed to invest in, build or finance U.S. data centers that are at least as large and powerful as those in the UAE. This capital will help fulfill OpenAI's commitment to build more AI infrastructure in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, because we believe it will establish the necessary foundation for us to export the building blocks of democratic AI everywhere. As part of this effort, the UAE — a close American ally and leader in the global push to develop renewable, economically viable sources of energy — will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide, giving people across the country the ability to access OpenAI's technology. But exporting democratic AI requires more than infrastructure. It requires policy: smart export controls that balance innovation and safety, while aligning nations around rights like free expression and safeguards against surveillance. We're working closely with American officials to ensure our international partnerships meet the highest standards of security and compliance. We've also proposed a tiered framework for access to cutting-edge models. Nations committed to democratic AI principles should receive deep technical collaboration and access to advanced models. 'Swing-state' countries that show progress on safeguarding intellectual property could become eligible for inclusion provided they are adding more powerful safeguards against technology transfer. Authoritarian regimes would be excluded. Moving quickly and creatively will also enshrine core principles like freedom of expression, human dignity, competitive markets and transparency. It will ensure that people — not governments — have the ability to direct and shape how they use AI in their lives. And it will win over the 'swing-state' nations that are considering which version of AI to embrace. The U.S. has historically used commercial diplomacy to open markets, secure alliances and extend American values through exports ranging from agricultural technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and communications infrastructure. AI is the next frontier. With a coordinated approach, the U.S. can turn AI into a tool for strengthening global partnerships and driving shared growth. Ultimately, the greatest challenge to democratic AI isn't autocratic governments abroad but domestic inertia here at home. Red tape slows energy projects. Bureaucracy holds back chip production. Data policy stifles innovation. Countries under centralized control can move much more quickly to build new AI infrastructure. China approved the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors last year alone, with 10 more coming online this year. Stargate is one way forward. I recently visited our first site in Abilene, Texas, where thousands of workers are building the largest AI training center in the country. We've heard from other countries that want to build Stargates of their own to ensure their people can benefit from AI's transformative power. OpenAI for Countries is how we help make that happen. AI has brought the world to a historic crossroads. One path expands access to AI in ways that reflect democratic values and protect fundamental rights. The other leads to a future shaped by governments that reject those principles. This is the time to act — by investing boldly at home and working with partners abroad to build a foundation of democratic AI that empowers people and expands opportunity. Chris Lehane is OpenAI's head of global affairs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
A false choice is threatening America's lead on AI
Countries that build the most AI infrastructure today will reap the greatest rewards in the coming Intelligence Age. Yet debates about AI investment often wrongly frame it as a binary decision: Build at home or fund projects abroad. That's a false distinction and a losing strategy. To ensure democratic values shape the future of artificial intelligence, countries need to invest in themselves — and in American AI infrastructure. As my boss, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, wrote last summer, only the U.S. and China have the resources and capacity to shape the future trajectory of AI and determine whether it advances in ways that protect freedom, dignity and human agency or whether it becomes a tool of surveillance and repression. Ensuring that democratic values shape the future of AI is the most urgent challenge of our time, and we need to seize this moment and think big, act big and build big — both here and abroad — to ensure that it prevails over authoritarian AI in the competition over the technology's future. The world is not divided neatly into allies and adversaries. Many countries are navigating complex choices as they evaluate what kind of AI systems — and what kinds of values — they wish to adopt. Supporting these nations is not just about competition. It is about offering a meaningful alternative: a version of AI development that upholds individual rights, resists central control and aligns with the long-standing principles of transparency and fairness embedded in the international system. That system isn't perfect, but reforming it from within is preferable to replacing it with one that lacks basic democratic protections. If the U.S. doesn't engage with countries looking to build AI, autocrats will step in to fill that void — and core freedoms may fall by the wayside. That's why we at OpenAI have launched the Stargate Project, which will invest $500 billion in new AI infrastructure in America. And it's the thinking behind our newest initiative, OpenAI for Countries, which is designed to help U.S. friends and allies build their own AI infrastructure on democratic rails, not on the authoritarian version of the technology. You can see what this vision looks like in practice in our partnership with the United Arab Emirates, the first we've struck in the OpenAI for Countries initiative. The partnership includes dual investments: a 1 gigawatt data center complex in Abu Dhabi, with 200 megawatts expected to go live in 2026, as well as United Arab Emirates investment into Stargate infrastructure in the U.S., which will help create jobs and spur economic opportunity across the country. This builds on the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership announced during President Trump's recent visit. As the White House has noted, the UAE has committed to invest in, build or finance U.S. data centers that are at least as large and powerful as those in the UAE. This capital will help fulfill OpenAI's commitment to build more AI infrastructure in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, because we believe it will establish the necessary foundation for us to export the building blocks of democratic AI everywhere. As part of this effort, the UAE — a close American ally and leader in the global push to develop renewable, economically viable sources of energy — will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide, giving people across the country the ability to access OpenAI's technology. But exporting democratic AI requires more than infrastructure. It requires policy: smart export controls that balance innovation and safety, while aligning nations around rights like free expression and safeguards against surveillance. We're working closely with American officials to ensure our international partnerships meet the highest standards of security and compliance. We've also proposed a tiered framework for access to cutting-edge models. Nations committed to democratic AI principles should receive deep technical collaboration and access to advanced models. 'Swing-state' countries that show progress on safeguarding intellectual property could become eligible for inclusion provided they are adding more powerful safeguards against technology transfer. Authoritarian regimes would be excluded. Moving quickly and creatively will also enshrine core principles like freedom of expression, human dignity, competitive markets and transparency. It will ensure that people — not governments — have the ability to direct and shape how they use AI in their lives. And it will win over the 'swing-state' nations that are considering which version of AI to embrace. The U.S. has historically used commercial diplomacy to open markets, secure alliances and extend American values through exports ranging from agricultural technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and communications infrastructure. AI is the next frontier. With a coordinated approach, the U.S. can turn AI into a tool for strengthening global partnerships and driving shared growth. Ultimately, the greatest challenge to democratic AI isn't autocratic governments abroad but domestic inertia here at home. Red tape slows energy projects. Bureaucracy holds back chip production. Data policy stifles innovation. Countries under centralized control can move much more quickly to build new AI infrastructure. China approved the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors last year alone, with 10 more coming online this year. Stargate is one way forward. I recently visited our first site in Abilene, Texas, where thousands of workers are building the largest AI training center in the country. We've heard from other countries that want to build Stargates of their own to ensure their people can benefit from AI's transformative power. OpenAI for Countries is how we help make that happen. AI has brought the world to a historic crossroads. One path expands access to AI in ways that reflect democratic values and protect fundamental rights. The other leads to a future shaped by governments that reject those principles. This is the time to act — by investing boldly at home and working with partners abroad to build a foundation of democratic AI that empowers people and expands opportunity. Chris Lehane is OpenAI's head of global affairs.
