OpenAI and G42 Collaborate to Transform the Middle East with AI
In a groundbreaking move that promises to reshape the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Middle East, OpenAI, renowned for its ChatGPT AI platform, has forged a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi’s AI and cloud computing juggernaut, G42. The announcement, which took place on the 18th of October, marks a pivotal moment for the region’s technological evolution.
We are excited to announce the launch of a new partnership with @OpenAI to bring advanced AI solutions to the UAE and the broader region, enabling organizations to leverage the world’s most advanced generative AI models for financial services, energy, healthcare, and more. pic.twitter.com/5V9LEM42re
The collaboration between OpenAI and G42 signals a transformative journey into the world of AI, with the two entities aiming to harness the full potential of generative AI models across a spectrum of sectors, including finance, energy, healthcare, and public services. This synergy leverages G42’s deep-rooted expertise in these industries, promising a simplified path for organisations across the United Arab Emirates and beyond to seamlessly integrate advanced AI capabilities into their operations.
G42’s commitment to prioritising its formidable AI infrastructure to support OpenAI’s local and regional inferencing on Microsoft Azure data centres underscores the scale and ambition of this partnership.
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, articulated the significance of G42’s industry connections, asserting that this collaboration would usher in AI solutions finely attuned to the region’s nuances. Indeed, this alliance is poised to propel generative AI forward globally.
A Multifaceted Alliance
This development comes on the heels of an announcement from Saudi Arabia, highlighting a collaborative effort with Chinese universities to develop an Arabic-based AI system. The Arabic language model, AceGPT, was created on Meta’s Llama 2 and caters specifically to Arabic speakers, answering queries in the Arabic language.
However, amidst these promising partnerships, concerns over the destination of AI semiconductor chip exports to the Middle East have been simmering. U.S. officials have imposed stringent controls to safeguard sensitive technology, encompassing several Middle Eastern countries, such as Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon.
The Strategic Masterstroke
The OpenAI-G42 partnership represents a strategic masterstroke that transcends conventional competition in the AI sector. OpenAI’s generative AI models will be harnessed to enhance the landscape of financial services, energy, healthcare, and various other sectors in the UAE. In return, OpenAI stands to benefit from access to G42’s Arabic language model, Jais, boasting an impressive 13 billion parameters. This model, which amalgamates Arabic and English data, was created through a collaboration with experts and engineers, addressing a significant need for bilingual language models.
Jais, powered by supercomputers from Cerebras Systems, is set to achieve its multilingual model goals through the partnership with OpenAI, opening up exciting avenues for AI innovation.
A Global Vision
Sam Altman’s vision for demographic-specific AI models aligns seamlessly with this partnership. OpenAI’s interest in expanding its presence globally, as evidenced by its offices in London, Dublin, and an impending one in Japan, could extend to the UAE. Such a move would further solidify the region’s position as a global AI hub.
A Strong Public-Private Collaboration
OpenAI’s engagement with the UAE extends beyond corporate partnerships. Sam Altman has actively explored AI development opportunities in the UAE, holding discussions with Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the deputy prime minister and minister of finance of the UAE. These efforts underscore the UAE government’s proactive stance in supporting technological research and development, particularly in AI.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a government-funded research institute, has been at the forefront of AI advancements in the country. It recently unveiled Falcon, a flagship Large Language Model program, and NOOR, the world’s largest Arabic natural language processing model of its launch. Furthermore, G42’s close association with UAE national security advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also chairs sovereign wealth funds worth $110 billion, cements its pivotal role in the country’s economic landscape.
G42’s Broader Collaborations
G42’s collaboration with OpenAI is just one facet of its engagement with tech giants. The company previously partnered with Microsoft, focusing on AI solutions for healthcare, energy, and other domains. This collaboration entails expanding Microsoft’s Azure cloud service within the UAE, utilising Khazna Data Centres, a joint venture between G42 and Etisalat, the government telecom company.
Furthermore, G42’s partnership with AI compute company Cerebras Technologies has yielded significant results, including Condor Galaxy, a network of interconnected supercomputers designed to reduce the training time for AI models.
A Win-Win Collaboration
In a world where competition often dominates headlines, the OpenAI-G42 partnership is a refreshing departure from the norm. G42 CEO Peng Xiao aptly described it as a “convergence of value and vision.” Sam Altman echoed this sentiment, believing that this collaboration would yield effective solutions that resonate with the unique characteristics of the Middle East region. It’s a win-win scenario that promises to reshape the AI landscape, making it more accessible and impactful for all.
A Bright AI Future
As generative AI investments continue to surge, a recent report by PwC suggests that GCC countries could experience around $23.5 billion in economic growth by 2030. With their proactive investments and policies, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have already played pivotal roles in driving generative AI adoption in the region. With the OpenAI-G42 partnership, the Middle East is poised to shape a future where AI benefits humanity as a whole, transcending geographical boundaries and fostering innovation and progress.
