UAE is world's most forward-looking country for AI adoption, says OpenAI CEO

The UAE is emerging as a global leader in artificial intelligence adoption, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman describing it as the world's most forward-looking country in embracing the technology.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2026), Altman discussed the potential of AI to transform industries, particularly the energy sector, following agreements announced involving OpenAI, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and G42.

Altman said the partnership between the three organisations could help shape the future of the energy sector by enabling wider applications of artificial intelligence.

He noted that AI was already changing how people work, with tools such as ChatGPT helping employees perform tasks more efficiently. Increasingly, people are also using AI as a colleague or an integrated member of their teams.

However, Altman said its potential to accelerate scientific discovery was among the most exciting developments. He pointed to recent advances in AI systems tackling complex mathematical problems that had remained unsolved by humans, adding that similar capabilities could be applied across scientific disciplines and to challenges in energy production.

Addressing concerns about the technology's growing energy requirements, Altman said the amount of energy consumed by individual AI queries was declining as systems became more efficient. However, improving efficiency and lower usage costs were also encouraging greater adoption, contributing to rising overall demand.

He expressed hope that AI applications in the energy sector would deliver benefits that outweigh the energy required to operate the technology, ultimately helping expand global energy availability.

On the implications for employment, Altman acknowledged that AI was already capable of performing several tasks associated with certain white-collar roles. However, he expressed confidence that societies would adapt as the technology reshaped the nature of work.

He emphasised that human creativity and judgement would remain important, stressing that people should retain control over decisions that affect their lives and futures.

Altman said artificial intelligence should ultimately function as a tool that serves people, rather than a system entrusted with making decisions about their future.