OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Visit UAE for AI Investment Talks

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is set to visit the United Arab Emirates this week to discuss raising funds with Abu Dhabi-based investment group MGX, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Altman’s trip comes as OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, seeks to raise around $40 billion to support its AI model development and ambitious Stargate infrastructure project. The discussions with MGX highlight the growing role of Middle Eastern investors in the global AI race, especially as U.S. AI firms face increasing competition from China’s cost-effective alternative, DeepSeek.

Key Investment Talks in Abu Dhabi

MGX previously participated in OpenAI’s $6.6 billion funding round last October. The Abu Dhabi-based investment firm has expanded its presence in the U.S. AI sector, backing companies such as xAI (founded by Elon Musk) and Databricks.

While MGX has yet to comment on the upcoming talks, Altman’s visit underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambitions in the AI sector. The UAE has been actively investing in artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, and cloud computing, positioning itself as a key player in the global AI landscape.

Stargate: A Multi-Billion Dollar AI Infrastructure Plan

Altman’s fundraising efforts are part of Stargate, a joint venture backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, with MGX also involved. The $100 billion initiative aims to build advanced AI infrastructure and data centers, with plans to scale up to $500 billion over four years.

SoftBank, a major player in the tech investment space, is currently in talks to lead a funding round of up to $40 billion in OpenAI, at a valuation of $300 billion. If finalized, this would mark one of the largest private investment deals in history.

Altman’s Global AI Tour

The UAE stop is part of Altman’s global AI diplomacy efforts, which recently included a visit to India, where he met with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss building a low-cost AI ecosystem. Earlier this week, he also announced a partnership with Japan’s SoftBank for AI services.

The UAE’s AI Leadership

The UAE government has made AI a top priority, with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussing AI cooperation with the U.S. during his December visit to Washington.

Abu Dhabi’s AI strategy is being driven by state-backed entities such as G42 and MGX, with support from Mubadala, the UAE’s $330 billion sovereign wealth fund. As AI competition intensifies, the UAE is rapidly positioning itself as a global AI hub, attracting major technology players like OpenAI.

With AI technology becoming an economic battleground, Altman’s visit signals growing UAE-U.S. collaboration in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and advanced computing.