Microsoft-backed company OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has proposed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a potential regulatory sandbox for experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Altman highlighted the challenge of developing effective regulations for AI without practical experience and suggested that a controlled environment in the UAE could provide an opportunity for real-world experimentation. He emphasized the need for a global policy to manage advancements in AI and praised the UAE’s significant investment in AI and strategic policy focus, positioning the country to lead discussions in this area.
Altman also mentioned his engagement with Middle Eastern investors to support a semiconductor initiative aimed at driving AI technology forward. Despite concerns about the UAE’s close ties with China, efforts are being made to adjust these relationships. G42, an Emirati AI firm connected to OpenAI and other major tech companies, has announced plans to reduce its Chinese operations to meet US expectations.
Furthermore, Altman revealed that OpenAI intends to make some of its large-language models publicly available while also working on developing AI tools that are accessible to economically disadvantaged nations. OpenAI has seen significant growth, with annual revenue reaching $2 billion, and it aims to double that figure by 2025 due to increased demand for AI.
In 2023, Microsoft invested $10 billion in OpenAI under a multiyear agreement. Altman has a vision to revolutionize the global semiconductor industry, with an estimated investment of $5 trillion to $7 trillion.
Microsoft’s shares were trading slightly lower premarket at $414.93. Altman’s proposal for the UAE to be a testing ground for global AI regulations could pave the way for the development of effective policies in an industry that is rapidly evolving and shaping our future.
