Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with OpenAI and UAE-based artificial intelligence company G42 to integrate advanced AI technologies across its energy operations, marking a major step in the UAE's efforts to accelerate digital transformation in the energy sector.
The agreement was announced on November 2, 2026, during the ADIPEC energy conference in Abu Dhabi, attended by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Under the partnership, ADNOC will become the first energy company to deploy OpenAI's frontier AI technology, aiming to improve operational efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and optimise performance across its business.
The collaboration will initially focus on integrating AI into field development planning and commercial operations. Advanced AI systems will analyse extensive industrial data, support production planning, and connect decisions across exploration, refining, logistics, sales, and trading.
ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber highlighted the partnership's potential to transform industrial operations by combining advanced artificial intelligence with decades of energy-sector expertise.
Meanwhile, Sam Altman emphasised the importance of applying sophisticated AI models to complex challenges within the energy industry, including improving operational performance and supporting more efficient resource management.
The agreement also reflects OpenAI's expanding presence in the UAE. During his visit, Altman met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while additional AI cooperation agreements were announced involving Abu Dhabi investment company Mubadala and G42 subsidiary Inception42.
The partnership strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as an emerging global hub for artificial intelligence and demonstrates how advanced technology is becoming increasingly central to the future of energy production, investment, and industrial innovation.
