It sounded too good to be true — and it was. Shared millions of times, hotly debated and swiftly taken at face value by many: the claim that every citizen of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was getting free access to ChatGPT Plus turned out to be a complete misunderstanding. But this episode reveals more than just a slip-up — it exposes how fast misinformation travels in the age of AI, and why falsehoods around new technologies spread with such alarming ease.
The rumour began with the announcement of a strategic partnership between OpenAI and the UAE. At the centre of the deal is the Stargate-UAE project, a major AI infrastructure initiative in Abu Dhabi aimed at creating one of the world’s most powerful compute clusters. The official statement referred to “nationwide access to ChatGPT” — a vague and highly interpretable phrase. While OpenAI was referring to ChatGPT being integrated into public platforms, schools and government services, many online — or perhaps simply hoping — took this to mean free premium access for all.
What followed was a textbook example of how misinformation takes hold in the digital age. Within hours, TikToks were uploaded, tweets went viral, meme posts were liked, shared and commented on. Algorithms did what they do best: reward virality, not veracity. The more sensational the headline — “An Entire Country Gets ChatGPT Plus for Free!” — the wider it spread. Even reputable media outlets picked it up, often without rigorous fact-checking.
But in the world of generative AI, the line between fascination and fiction is razor-thin. AI triggers high hopes — for efficiency, accessibility, a future freed from complexity. Many see it as a digital equaliser, democratising education, productivity and creativity. In such a climate, the idea of a government gifting everyone access to the world’s most advanced AI doesn’t just sound plausible — it feels inevitable. Hope blurs into belief, belief becomes “news”.
The truth is far more mundane: ChatGPT Plus still costs around $20 per month — in the UAE as elsewhere. There is no confirmed programme offering it for free, nor is there evidence that such a move is imminent. The Stargate project focuses on long-term AI infrastructure and might one day support public services, but there’s been no official statement about free premium access for every resident.
So why are false claims like this so quick to spread — especially around AI? The answer lies in how AI is perceived: opaque, complex, and strangely magical. Where there’s a knowledge gap, imagination rushes in — fuelled by platforms that prioritise engagement over accuracy. In just seconds, a misread phrase becomes a viral belief, while correction takes days.
OpenAI itself has yet to respond publicly to the rumour. Yet now more than ever, clarity is essential. If trust in AI technologies is to grow, then transparency cannot be optional. Governments and tech companies alike must communicate with greater precision. And media — both traditional and social — must learn that speed is no substitute for scrutiny.
The “Free ChatGPT in the Emirates” story will likely take its place among other AI myths — alongside “ChatGPT is replacing Google” and “AI can think for itself”. But it serves as a warning. Not only about what we share, but how we collectively engage with transformative technologies. Between hype and reality, there’s often just one prompt.
