Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, and Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, during a signing ceremony for the partnership. Photo: G42
Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, and Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, during a signing ceremony for the partnership. Photo: G42
Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, and Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, during a signing ceremony for the partnership. Photo: G42
Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, and Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, during a signing ceremony for the partnership. Photo: G42

ChatGPT maker OpenAI teams up with Abu Dhabi's G42 in Middle East expansion push


Alvin R Cabral
  • English
  • Arabic

OpenAI, the maker of the generative artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT, has teamed up with Abu Dhabi cloud and AI company G42 as it seeks to expand its footprint in the Middle East.

The partnership will focus on using OpenAI’s generative AI models in verticals where G42 operates, including financial services, energy, health care and public services, G42 said on Wednesday.

The companies will collaborate to develop solutions and establish them for specific uses, as well as to grow the advancement of generative AI. These solutions aim to simplify the adoption of generative AI services.

The partnership was signed by Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, and Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, on the sidelines of the Gitex Global technology conference in Dubai on Wednesday.

The collaboration will lay the foundation for “equitable advancements” in generative AI across the globe, Mr Altman said.

“Our partnership with G42 is a significant commitment to further harnessing AI's transformative power. Leveraging G42's industry expertise, we aim to empower businesses and communities with effective solutions that resonate with the nuances of the region,” he said.

The AI industry, long used in businesses and society, was brought forward by the emergence of ChatGPT, created by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

The praise for the technology, due to its advanced conversational skills, sparked a race between the biggest technology companies and personalities, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle and Elon Musk.

Generative AI is expected to hold immense economic potential. GCC countries are expected to reap about $23.5 billion in economic benefits by 2030 as investments in generative AI continue to grow, PwC unit Strategy& Middle East said last month.

The UAE has also been considered to be leading the GCC's “enthusiasm” towards the use of generative AI and its adoption of the emerging technology is standing out on the global stage, a top executive of PwC Middle East said last week.

The Middle East and the Arabic-speaking world present a significant opportunity for generative AI.

Arabic is one of the most widespread languages worldwide – spoken by more than 400 million people, according to WorldData. It is the official language in 22 countries and partly spoken in 11 others.

However, its online presence is minuscule, with only about 1 per cent of content in Arabic.

The UAE has made strides in the industry, having already unveiled major large language models – the underlying algorithm that powers generative AI – to stress its intentions of becoming a leader in the industry.

Abu Dhabi government-backed research centre Technology Innovation Institute launched its Falcon flagship LLM and its advanced iteration to grow generative artificial intelligence capabilities in the region.

  • A robotic hand at the Etisalat stand at Gitex, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre. All photos: Leslie Pableo / The National
    A robotic hand at the Etisalat stand at Gitex, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre. All photos: Leslie Pableo / The National
  • Amina, a robot, interacting with a visitor to the show
    Amina, a robot, interacting with a visitor to the show
  • Crowds at Gitex on the second day of the exhibition
    Crowds at Gitex on the second day of the exhibition
  • A robot designed to plant trees on the RTDA stand
    A robot designed to plant trees on the RTDA stand
  • Miroki robot on the Etisalat stand
    Miroki robot on the Etisalat stand
  • A flying vehicle at the Etisalat stand
    A flying vehicle at the Etisalat stand
  • A driverless vehicle
    A driverless vehicle
  • A futuristic Mercedes Benz on the Etisalat stand
    A futuristic Mercedes Benz on the Etisalat stand
  • A high-speed floating police car on display at the conference in Dubai
    A high-speed floating police car on display at the conference in Dubai
  • The Du stand at Gitex
    The Du stand at Gitex
  • Abu Dhabi Customs shows off its robot technology at Gitex
    Abu Dhabi Customs shows off its robot technology at Gitex
  • An Abu Dhabi government stand at Gitex
    An Abu Dhabi government stand at Gitex
  • Another Dubai Police vehicle on display at the tech show
    Another Dubai Police vehicle on display at the tech show
  • Ramnas the robot at Gitex
    Ramnas the robot at Gitex
  • Abu Dhabi Customs during a virtual reality demonstration
    Abu Dhabi Customs during a virtual reality demonstration
  • A face scanner at the Road and Transport Authority stand at Gitex
    A face scanner at the Road and Transport Authority stand at Gitex
  • A man interacts with a robot at the Abu Dhabi Government stand
    A man interacts with a robot at the Abu Dhabi Government stand
  • A robot dog was part of the tech show on Monday
    A robot dog was part of the tech show on Monday
  • A 3D printing of an abra that will be launched next year by Dubai's RTA
    A 3D printing of an abra that will be launched next year by Dubai's RTA

Abu Dhabi AI company G42's unit Inception, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Silicon Valley-based Cerebras Systems launched Jais, an open-source bilingual Arabic-English model.

The TII, the research and applied research unit of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, last year launched Noor, which at the time was the world’s largest Arabic natural language processing.

The OpenAI-G42 partnership is positioning AI as a “transformative force for good, fuelling innovation and progress”, Mr Xiao said.

“It transcends technological synergy; it's a convergence of value and vision … to shape a future where AI benefits all of humanity.”

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Oscars in the UAE

The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am

If you go…

Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.

Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days. 

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

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The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

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The studios taking part (so far)
  1. Punch
  2. Vogue Fitness 
  3. Sweat
  4. Bodytree Studio
  5. The Hot House
  6. The Room
  7. Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
  8. Cryo
'Nope'
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UAE%20SQUAD
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
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Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital

How to increase your savings
  • Have a plan for your savings.
  • Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
  • Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
  • It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings. 

- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

 

 

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Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
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  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Updated: October 18, 2023, 5:06 PM