Is ChatGPT Plus free in the UAE?

The buzz is strong on social media that the service will be free for UAE residents.

Dubai: A major AI partnership between the UAE and OpenAI recently sparked excitement — and some confusion. Headlines claimed all UAE residents would get free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium version of the popular AI tool. But is that really the case?

Let’s clarify what’s true — and what’s not.

What the UAE–OpenAI deal actually means

OpenAI confirmed that the UAE will become the first country to enable ChatGPT nationwide, integrating it into sectors like education, healthcare, energy, and government services.

This initiative is part of a much bigger plan — the Stargate UAE project, which involves building the world’s largest AI data centre in Abu Dhabi. The 10-square-mile campus, created with partners like G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, and Cisco, will deliver massive AI computing power by 2026.

So, is ChatGPT Plus now free?

No. OpenAI’s official announcement mentions nationwide access, not free personal subscriptions. While media reports suggested all residents would receive free ChatGPT Plus access, this is not confirmed by OpenAI or UAE authorities.

For now, ChatGPT’s free version (GPT-3.5) remains accessible in the UAE, while ChatGPT Plus still costs $20/month — unless otherwise announced.

What residents can expect

As ChatGPT becomes integrated into public platforms, you may benefit from using the tool in government apps, schools, or healthcare portals — even without a Plus subscription.

But unless OpenAI explicitly states otherwise, free premium access is not guaranteed.

So why the new hype?

Much of the confusion stems from how some media outlets interpreted the announcement. While the UAE is indeed making ChatGPT tools more accessible, the focus now is on infrastructure and integration, not on affordability.

Stargate UAE positions the country as a global AI leader. It’s the first time OpenAI is building such a facility outside the US. Powered by nuclear, solar, and gas energy, the centre aims to drive AI innovation across a region that reaches nearly half the world’s population. So there’s good reason to be excited — but not for the reason that’s going viral now.

ref: gulfnews.com