Over the past week, several media outlets have reported that all UAE residents will soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of OpenAI’s viral chatbot. The story gained traction quickly. After all, who wouldn’t want a $20/month subscription for free?
But the details don’t quite add up.
The reports stem from the latest announcement, a partnership between OpenAI and Abu Dhabi’s G42, along with plans to build one of the world’s most powerful AI data centres, Stargate, in the capital. In the days that followed, multiple headlines suggested this deal included free ChatGPT Plus access for the entire country.
Curious, we asked ChatGPT directly, and it answered
“As of now, ChatGPT Plus is not yet free for all residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Dubai. While several media outlets have reported that the premium version of ChatGPT will be made freely available to UAE residents as part of a partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government, OpenAI has not officially confirmed this initiative.”
“The partnership includes the development of a significant AI infrastructure project in Abu Dhabi called Stargate UAE, aiming to establish the country as a global AI leader. However, details regarding the implementation of free ChatGPT Plus access, such as activation procedures and eligibility criteria, have not been formally disclosed.”
“For now, UAE residents can access the free version of ChatGPT, which provides limited features compared to the Plus subscription. The ChatGPT Plus plan, offering enhanced capabilities, remains a paid service at $20 per month until further official announcements are made.”
We checked the ChatGPT subscription page, and there was no mention of a UAE-specific offer. The Plus plan is still listed at its usual price, and there is no option to activate a free version based on location.
So what’s going on?
There is a clear difference between offering national AI infrastructure and providing premium subscriptions. The OpenAI-G42 partnership is ambitious, but as of now, there has been no official confirmation from OpenAI about a free consumer rollout.
It’s possible that something is underway behind the scenes. However, until there is a formal announcement—or a clear way for users to access it—ChatGPT Plus is not free in the UAE. Not yet.
