Altman praises Abu Dhabi at ADIPEC as 80% of UAE youth use ChatGPT

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the UAE as the world’s most forward-looking country in adopting artificial intelligence during the opening of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC, where OpenAI partnerships with ADNOC and G42 were announced.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised the UAE, describing it as “the most forward-looking country in the world when it comes to adopting artificial intelligence” and noting that about 80% of young people in the country use ChatGPT.

He made the remarks on Monday during a conversation with The National editor-in-chief Mina Al-Oraibi at the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC. The event saw the announcement of partnerships between OpenAI and ADNOC and G42, marking the first deployment of OpenAI’s advanced models at an energy company.

Sam Altman during his conversation with Mina Al-Oraibi at ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi

Smarter than leading scientists

Altman said artificial intelligence was generally less intelligent than the brightest scientists at the beginning of this year, “but now it is generally smarter than them.” He added that it is now capable of performing large parts of office jobs and said he was confident that society would move beyond these changes.

He stressed that humans must remain in control of the future, saying that “decision-making should not be handed over to artificial intelligence” and that the technology should serve people, not the other way around.

Energy is the biggest challenge

Asked about the biggest challenge he faces, Altman answered with one word: “energy.” He explained that energy consumption per query is falling significantly, but demand for use rises as efficiency improves. He stressed that the artificial intelligence and energy sectors have a responsibility to society to meet this demand.

He noted that costs could fall in almost every area except physical energy, which will remain the decisive factor in the cost and availability of artificial intelligence. He expressed hope that artificial intelligence would ultimately deliver a net gain in the availability of energy worldwide.

Altman praises Abu Dhabi at ADIPEC as 80% of UAE youth use ChatGPT