Media Reactions to the UAE’s US $40B AI Cluster Launch
How global outlets covered the UAE’s announcement of the world’s largest non-US AI cluster and country-wide ChatGPT access
On 16 May 2025, the UAE announced the creation of a US$40 billion, 1-GW artificial intelligence cluster in Abu Dhabi. Developed in collaboration with OpenAI, G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, and SoftBank, the project positioned the country as a global compute hub and the first nation to offer free, nationwide ChatGPT Plus access.
Media coverage between 16 and 27 May reflected a wide range of themes, from technology strategy and economic policy to geopolitical positioning and public access to AI tools. Coverage appeared across online and social platforms, with noticeable variations in tone and emphasis by region.
The report highlights key patterns across sentiment, reach and message framing. A few notable findings include:
North America accounted for 42 percent of all online coverage, where reporting often combined commercial optimism with export-control concerns, particularly around chip custody.
The phrase “first country-wide ChatGPT” accounted for 23 percent of positive sentiment on social platforms, primarily driven by UAE-based influencers.
A launch thread shared by partner CEOs recorded 3.8 million views, setting the pace for early engagement and visibility.
To access the full breakdown of regional narratives, tone dynamics and coverage trends, download the full media overview.
Commentary
Media Reactions to the UAE’s US $40B AI Cluster Launch
How global outlets covered the UAE’s announcement of the world’s largest non-US AI cluster and country-wide ChatGPT access
On 16 May 2025, the UAE announced the creation of a US$40 billion, 1-GW artificial intelligence cluster in Abu Dhabi. Developed in collaboration with OpenAI, G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, and SoftBank, the project positioned the country as a global compute hub and the first nation to offer free, nationwide ChatGPT Plus access.
Media coverage between 16 and 27 May reflected a wide range of themes, from technology strategy and economic policy to geopolitical positioning and public access to AI tools. Coverage appeared across online and social platforms, with noticeable variations in tone and emphasis by region.
The report highlights key patterns across sentiment, reach and message framing. A few notable findings include:
To access the full breakdown of regional narratives, tone dynamics and coverage trends, download the full media overview.
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