OpenAI signs four UAE cooperation deals, expands Abu Dhabi base
Agreements cover energy, investment and government AI use, including a five-year Inception42 contract and a machine-readable government pilot.
OpenAI signed four cooperation agreements in the UAE covering the energy, government and investment sectors, expanding its business base in Abu Dhabi, according to digitaltoday.co.kr. The agreements were announced on November 2, 2026.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss local adoption of AI technology. ADNOC, G42 and G42 subsidiary Inception42 signed a cooperation agreement with OpenAI to apply advanced AI to operations, investment and business decisions, with OpenAI models running on UAE computing infrastructure.
Mubadala, Inception42 and OpenAI agreed to use AI for investment analysis, identifying investment opportunities and risk assessment. Separately, Inception42 and OpenAI signed a five-year contract to support advanced AI adoption in UAE government, business and education, mainly for large enterprises; the contract value was not disclosed.
Government pilot on food imports
The Abu Dhabi government and OpenAI began a "machine-readable government" project converting some policies and regulations into AI-readable form to help check routine regulatory compliance such as permits. A pilot on food imports is already running at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, with final decisions and responsibility remaining with officials.
OpenAI is also pursuing a new investment round of up to $20 billion co-led by UAE investors. In March 2026, MGX co-led OpenAI's $122 billion investment round, and in February 2026 it co-led a $30 billion funding round for Anthropic; MGX has invested in both companies.
Quick answers
What agreements did OpenAI sign in the UAE?
Four cooperation agreements covering the energy, investment and government sectors, signed on November 2, 2026.
How long is the Inception42 contract with OpenAI?
Five years, covering AI adoption in UAE government, business and education, mainly for large enterprises. The value was not disclosed.
What is the machine-readable government project?
A joint Abu Dhabi government and OpenAI project converting some policies and regulations into AI-readable form to help check routine regulatory compliance such as permits.