Abu Dhabi Launches Low-Cost AI Model to Rival OpenAI and DeepSeek

The United Arab Emirates has taken a bold step into the global Artificial Intelligence race with the launch of K2 Think, a new reasoning focused AI model created by the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Announced this week, the model is positioned as a direct challenger to AI giants like OpenAI and China’s DeepSeek but with a fraction of the size and cost.

At just 32 billion parameters, K2 Think is significantly smaller than competing systems such as DeepSeek’s 671B parameter R1. Yet, according to MBZUAI researchers, it delivers performance levels comparable to the most advanced reasoning models on the market. The model was developed in collaboration with G42, the UAE based AI firm backed by Microsoft, and tested on cutting edge hardware provided by Cerebras Systems.

What makes K2 Think stand out is its focus on scientific and mathematical applications rather than consumer chatbots. Researchers explained that the model’s strengths lie in problem solving, reasoning, and accelerating discoveries in areas like mathematics, coding, and clinical research. In tests across multiple benchmarks including math, science, and coding challenges K2 Think has shown results on par with much larger and more expensive systems.

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The breakthrough was made possible through advanced techniques such as long chain of thought supervised fine tuning and test time scaling, which allow the model to reason step by step and allocate more computing power when tackling complex problems. Instead of treating K2 Think as just another open source release, MBZUAI built it as a system designed for continuous improvement and real world deployment.

For the UAE, the launch of K2 Think reflects its ambition to establish itself as a serious global player in artificial intelligence. While the U.S and China remain the dominant leaders in AI innovation, the UAE is positioning itself as a fast rising contender. With strong backing from Microsoft and homegrown firms like G42, the country hopes to use AI not only as a tool for technological leadership but also as a way to reduce its dependency on oil and expand its economy.

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Experts believe that models like K2 Think could make advanced AI more accessible to regions and institutions that lack the vast resources of Silicon Valley or Beijing. By proving that “you can do more with less,” MBZUAI has opened the door to new opportunities in global science, research, and education.

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