UAE's $100bn AI target opens investment opportunities
The UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, government-led initiatives like The Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), strategic frameworks such as The National Program for Artificial Intelligence, and private sector investments spearheaded by the likes of the country's G423 and MGX4, are making AI one of the most appealing investment spaces in the UAE's economy.
AI is forecast to contribute 14 per cent to the UAE's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, equating to approximately $100bn.
AI investment in the UAE
According to Kooijman, many high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals are looking to technology-driven investments to grow their wealth.
This is a welcome sign amidst the country's AI outlook, especially after the UAE welcomed 6,700 millionaire migrants into its borders in 2024.
An additional projected inflow of 8,200 millionaires is expected in the UAE in 2025, more than any other country in the world.
Moreover, 72 per cent of asset and wealth managers are expecting AI and tech to reshape investment strategies, reinforcing the notion that the landscape is shifting fast with HNW and UHNW investors boasting investment power to spearhead this trajectory.
The integration of AI in finance accordingly requires investors to rethink their investment strategies.
Bas Kooijman said: 'With current inflation rates, geopolitical turmoil, and several other factors at play, diversification is no longer optional; it is a must to enable financial freedom in today's world.
'The days of relying solely on traditional markets are fading fast, if not already in the rearview, and investors who are not tapping into AI-driven opportunities risk falling behind.
'Tech-based algorithmic trading, data-powered insights, and risk-managed asset allocation are reshaping wealth-building strategies, giving investors the ability to secure a future-proof portfolio that balances innovation, security, and high-growth potential.
'Dubai's top 10 global AI ranking could elevate even further if the country's current $100bn AI GDP forecast is realised in five years.'
As one of the biggest tech-infrastructure projects in the world, one of the UAE's most recent endeavours is a $30-$50bn investment in a 1-gigawatt AI data centre in partnership with France.
This collaboration reinforces the country's elite global standing in this space and also a willingness to cross-collaborate towards innovation. As global AI leaders turn to Dubai for strategic collaboration, the region is attracting both massive capital and top-tier talent, making this a prime moment for investors to tap into the AI boom.
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