OpenAI, the developer behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, and G42, a Dubai-based technology holding group, have unveiled an innovative Middle East AI partnership on October 18. This collaboration aims to expand AI capabilities throughout the Middle East region, leveraging OpenAI’s expertise in generative AI models.
The strategic alliance will apply OpenAI’s advanced AI technology to sectors within G42’s purview, including financial services, energy, healthcare, and public services. This partnership is expected to simplify the integration of advanced AI capabilities into existing business solutions for organizations in the United Arab Emirates and neighboring regions.
G42 is committed to prioritizing its substantial AI infrastructure capacity to support OpenAI’s local and regional inferencing, utilizing Microsoft Azure data centers as a key resource.
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, emphasized the significance of G42’s industry connections, anticipating that this partnership will lead to the development of AI solutions that align with the specific requirements of the Middle East region. Altman also expressed his optimism regarding the global advancement of generative AI driven by this partnership.
These developments in AI integration occur in a broader context where Middle Eastern countries are actively embracing AI technology. For instance, Saudi Arabia recently initiated a collaboration between local universities and Chinese institutions to develop an Arabic-based AI system, known as AceGPT, designed to assist Arabic speakers and address queries in Arabic.
However, these strides in AI come as U.S. regulators express heightened concerns about the export destination of AI semiconductor chips, particularly to the Middle East. “Some Middle Eastern countries” have been added to the list of regions where leading AI chip manufacturers, including Nvidia and AMD, are required to restrict exports of high-level semiconductor chips.
While earlier attempts to block these exports encountered resistance, U.S. authorities have expanded licensing requirements for advanced chip exports to include “all 22 countries under U.S. arms embargo.” This encompasses Middle Eastern nations like Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon, in addition to their primary focus on China. These developments underscore the growing significance of AI technology and the complex regulatory environment surrounding it.
