Sam Altman highlights partnerships with ADNOC and G42 at ADIPEC, underscoring AI’s impact on energy, science, and the workforce.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has identified the United Arab Emirates as the world’s most forward-looking country in adopting artificial intelligence.
Speaking at a panel discussion during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2026), Altman addressed recent agreements involving OpenAI, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and AI technology firm G42. The tripartite partnership aims to leverage artificial intelligence to modernize and enable operations across the energy industry.
Altman pointed out that artificial intelligence is already altering workplace dynamics, citing tools such as ChatGPT that allow professionals to handle assignments more efficiently or function alongside teams as virtual colleagues.
Scientific discovery represents the most significant breakthrough area for the technology, Altman stated. AI systems have solved complex mathematical challenges that previously stumped human researchers over recent months. Similar problem-solving capabilities are anticipated to address technical hurdles across various scientific domains and energy generation systems.
Addressing energy demands tied to computational loads, Altman noted that per-query energy consumption continues to decrease as system efficiencies advance. However, reduced operating costs are accelerating broader utilization rates. He expressed optimism that applying artificial intelligence across the energy landscape will produce enough efficiency gains to offset its power requirements and bolster global energy supply over time.
Regarding labor and employment concerns, Altman confirmed that current systems can execute substantial portions of various white-collar roles. He asserted that societies will successfully adapt to shifting workplace requirements, emphasizing that human creativity, critical judgment, and strategic decision-making must remain paramount. AI must serve human progress rather than determine major life decisions independently.
