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Khaleej Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE ranks among top rising economies in AI readiness
The UAE is charging toward the forefront of the global AI revolution, emerging as a top contender among the world's rising economies, according to a study from Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Unveiled at the Dubai AI Assembly during Dubai AI Week on April 23, the study positions the UAE as a regional beacon of AI readiness, with Saudi Arabia by its side. Yet, as the GCC nations collectively accelerate their AI ambitions, the UAE's journey from regional leader to global pioneer hinges on boosting private investment, expanding its talent pool, and supercharging research and development, said the study 'GCC AI pulse: Mapping the region's readiness for an AI-driven future' BCG's 2024 AI Maturity Matrix, the backbone of the report, sorts economies into four archetypes: Emergents, Practitioners, Contenders, and Pioneers. The UAE, alongside Saudi Arabia, secures its place among 31 global AI Contenders, outpacing GCC peers like Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, which rank as Practitioners. While no GCC nation yet claims the coveted Pioneer status — held by powerhouses like the US, the UK, and China — the UAE's trajectory is striking. Its National AI Strategy 2031, the world's first AI Minister appointed in 2017, and a $100 billion MGX fund for global AI investments signal a bold vision. With 35 data centers and $228 per employee in public cloud spending — the highest in the GCC — the UAE's digital infrastructure is a robust springboard for AI innovation. Dr. Akram Awad, managing director and partner at BCG, underscores the UAE's forward-thinking approach: 'The UAE is poised to lead regionally and compete globally by leveraging its digital foundation and strategic initiatives.' However, the report highlights critical areas for growth. With 7,000 AI specialists, the UAE boasts a solid talent base, but scaling this pool is vital to sustain innovation. Similarly, its 700 AI-related research publications mark regional leadership, yet bridging the gap to globally recognized breakthroughs remains a priority. Private-sector investment, while above the Contender average, must deepen to propel the UAE toward Pioneer status. Studies like the 2024 PwC Middle East AI Report echo this, noting that 70 per cent of UAE executives plan to increase AI investments, particularly in generative AI, to drive economic diversification. The UAE's AI playbook mirrors global leaders in many ways. Its sovereign investment prowess and early governance moves rival those of Pioneers, while initiatives like the Dubai AI Campus and Falcon, a homegrown large language model, showcase ambition. Rami Mourtada, partner and director at BCG, emphasises the need for more. 'Advancing private-sector engagement, elevating R&D to global innovation levels, and growing the domestic talent pool will solidify the UAE's path to AI Pioneer status.' The 2023 Deloitte Global AI Governance Report supports this, highlighting the UAE's ethical AI frameworks as a model but urging stronger academia-industry ties to accelerate innovation. Beyond the UAE, the GCC is riding a wave of AI transformation. Saudi Arabia, also a Contender, is advancing through the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and its goal to rank among the top 15 AI nations by 2030. A 2024 McKinsey report notes Saudi Arabia's $40 billion AI investment fund as a game-changer. Qatar's national AI strategy and Oman's Makeen Nanodegree programme are building modern ecosystems, while Bahrain's fintech-driven AI adoption and Kuwait's foundational strategies lay critical groundwork. Dr. Lars Littig, managing director and partner at BCG, sees a region-wide opportunity: 'The GCC's collective momentum could position it as a global hub for AI innovation, especially in sector-specific applications like optimising oil production or supply chains.' For the UAE, the path forward involves aligning governance with evolving AI ethics, a point reinforced by the 2024 World Economic Forum's AI Governance Alliance, which praises the UAE's responsible AI stance but calls for global standardisation. Upskilling programmes, like those under the UAE's AI Summer Camp, and attracting international talent are critical to broadening expertise. Intensifying R&D investments, as seen in Singapore's $1 billion AI innovation fund per a 2024 Reuters report, could inspire the UAE to foster stronger academia-industry collaborations, driving cutting-edge advancements, AI experts said.
Hi Dubai
24-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Among Top Emerging Global Economies in AI Readiness: BCG Report
The UAE has secured its place among the world's top emerging economies in artificial intelligence readiness, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Unveiled during the Dubai AI Assembly as part of Dubai AI Week, the report— GCC AI Pulse: Mapping the Region's Readiness for an AI-Driven Future —draws on BCG's 2024 AI Maturity Matrix. Classified as an 'AI Contender,' the UAE joins 31 other global economies, including Saudi Arabia, in this mid-tier category, signaling significant progress toward becoming an AI Pioneer. The matrix identifies four levels of AI maturity: Emergents, Practitioners, Contenders, and Pioneers. Other GCC nations such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain are currently categorized as Practitioners. 'The UAE is poised to be a regional leader among global AI Pioneers by leveraging its robust digital infrastructure and aligning AI strategies with national economic goals,' said Dr. Akram Awad, Managing Director and Partner at BCG. Rami Mourtada, Partner and Director at BCG, emphasized that enhanced private sector investment, improved R&D outcomes, and a stronger local talent pipeline are critical to propelling the UAE into the Pioneer tier. Dr. Lars Littig, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, noted the broader regional momentum: 'The UAE stands out, but the entire GCC is undergoing a transformation. Countries are increasingly applying AI in sector-specific areas—like oil production and supply chain optimization—demonstrating tangible impact while climbing the AI maturity curve.' The report underscores the UAE's strategic direction and offers a blueprint for continued AI advancement, both nationally and across the GCC. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Gulf Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Ranks Among Top Global AI Contenders, Says BCG Report
The UAE has positioned itself among leading emerging economies in AI readiness, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The study, GCC AI Pulse: Mapping the Region's Readiness for an AI-Driven Future , places the UAE in the 'AI Contender' category alongside 31 other economies, including Saudi Arabia. BCG's 2024 AI Maturity Matrix, presented at the Dubai AI Assembly, categorises economies into four tiers: Emergents, Practitioners, Contenders, and Pioneers. While other GCC nations such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain rank as 'AI Practitioners', no Gulf nation has yet achieved the top-tier 'Pioneer' status currently held by the US, UK, and China. 'The UAE is poised to be a regional leader amongst other global AI Pioneers by capitalising on its established digital infrastructure and formulating strategic initiatives that support AI integration into its economic visions. Key indicators collectively illustrate a forward-thinking approach to AI by the UAE and outline clear pathways for improvement. As entities forge ahead, these insights are key in the drive towards AI maturation,' Dr. Akram Awad, Managing Director and Partner at BCG said. The UAE's performance mirrors many benchmarks set by established AI Pioneers, with particular strength in AI governance as demonstrated by the National AI Strategy 2031 and its appointment of the world's first AI Minister in 2017. The nation hosts nearly 7,000 AI specialists and has produced approximately 700 AI-related publications. The report notes that while the UAE exceeds average investment levels within its peer group, further mobilisation of private sector capital would help elevate the country to Pioneer status. Significant initiatives such as the $100 billion MGX fund demonstrate the UAE's global ambitions in AI development. Infrastructure strengths include 35 data centres and the highest public cloud expenditure per employee in the GCC at $228, creating what BCG describes as 'a robust foundation for AI technologies and platforms to thrive.' 'Our research findings reveal that advancing private sector engagement and investment, improving R&D outcomes to global innovation levels, and expanding the homegrown AI talent pool, will further solidify the UAE's position as a global AI leader. These imperatives will accelerate the UAE's journey towards a clear status as an AI Pioneer, multiplying economic and social benefits at the national level,' Rami Mourtada, Partner and Director at BCG added. The report highlights a region-wide push toward AI maturity, with Saudi Arabia aiming to rank among the top 15 AI nations by 2030. Qatar and Oman are developing modern infrastructure and upskilling initiatives, while Bahrain and Kuwait establish foundational AI strategies. 'The UAE stands out as a beacon of advanced leadership and execution in AI — but what makes this moment remarkable is the broader wave of transformation across the GCC,' Dr. Lars Littig, Managing Director and Partner at BCG explained. The report recommends expanding AI capabilities through upskilling programmes and international talent acquisition, realigning governance structures with evolving AI ethics frameworks, and intensifying research and development investments to foster stronger academia-industry collaborations. Also read: Trump to Visit UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar in Three-country Tour From May 13
Gulf Today
23-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE ranks among top emerging economies in AI readiness: Study
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter The UAE ranks among the top emerging global economies in AI readiness, according to a report titled 'GCC AI Pulse: Mapping the Region's Readiness for an AI-Driven Future' by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report, based on BCG's 2024 AI Maturity Matrix, was a focal point at the Dubai AI Assembly during the Dubai AI Week. As found in BCG's inaugural AI Maturity Matrix, the UAE has earned the designation of AI Contender alongside 31 economies worldwide, including Saudi Arabia. The maturity matrix identified four economic archetypes based on their AI readiness, ranging from AI Emergents at the low end of the scale, followed by Practitioners, then Contenders, and Pioneers at the high end. Other GCC countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, have ranked in the AI Practitioners' category. With GCC countries yet to achieve AI Pioneer status, that includes the likes of US, UK, and China, the report highlights substantial opportunities for advancing AI readiness and leadership in the region, with the UAE making notable progress on that path. 'The UAE is poised to be a regional leader amongst other global AI Pioneers by capitalizing on its established digital infrastructure and formulating strategic initiatives that support AI integration into its economic visions,' said Dr Akram Awad, Managing Director and Partner at BCG. 'Key indicators collectively illustrate a forward-thinking approach to AI by the UAE and outline clear pathways for improvement. As entities forge ahead, these insights are key in the drive towards AI maturation.' From Regional Leader to Global Contender: As a first-mover on AI governance and the leading nation globally in sovereign investment, the UAE mirrors many benchmarks set by established AI Pioneers, reflecting its success at integrating AI technologies at a national scale. The country's vision, reflected in robust policy initiatives such as the National AI Strategy 2031 and the appointment of the world's first AI Minister in 2017, demonstrate a strong direction towards AI-centric economic and social value. The human capital aspect, with nearly 7,000 AI specialists in the country, highlights a robust base, yet expanding this talent pool is essential for sustaining innovation, economic transformation and keeping pace with AI advancements. The UAE is also among the regional leaders in AI-related research, with approximately 700 AI-related publications. However, there remains a palpable need to bridge the gap toward achieving globally recognized innovations. While the UAE surpasses the average investment level within its peer group (AI Contenders), focusing on mobilizing further private sector capital and deeper involvement in AI ventures would allow the UAE to be positioned at the AI Pioneer level. The country has also demonstrated global ambition through significant foreign investments, including the $100 billion MGX fund, which reflects its strategic commitment to shaping the future of AI beyond its borders. On the infrastructure front, the UAE is well-positioned, with 35 data centers and the highest public cloud expenditure per employee in the GCC at USD 228, creating a robust foundation for AI technologies and platforms to thrive. 'Our research findings reveal that advancing private sector engagement and investment, improving R&D outcomes to global innovation levels, and expanding the homegrown AI talent pool, will further solidify the UAE's position as a global AI leader. These imperatives will accelerate the UAE's journey towards a clear status as an AI Pioneer, multiplying economic and social benefits at the national level.' said Rami Mourtada, Partner and Director at BCG. Beyond the UAE, the broader GCC region is witnessing an accelerated push toward AI maturity. Saudi Arabia, also an AI Contender, has made major strides with a robust digital foundation, regulatory leadership through the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the ambitious goal to be among the top 15 AI nations by 2030. Qatar and Oman are building modern infrastructure and upskilling initiatives like Qatar's national AI strategy and Oman's Makeen Nanodegree program. Meanwhile, Bahrain and Kuwait are laying the groundwork for AI readiness through fintech-driven ecosystems and foundational strategies, respectively. 'The UAE stands out as a beacon of advanced leadership and execution in AI — but what makes this moment remarkable is the broader wave of transformation across the GCC,' said Dr. Lars Littig, Managing Director and Partner at BCG. 'We're witnessing a region-wide momentum that, if harnessed collectively, has the potential to position the GCC as one of the most future-ready clusters for AI innovation globally. This includes the growing trend of countries leveraging AI in sector-specific ways—for instance, applying AI to optimize oil production or enhance supply chains—enabling practitioners to deliver real-world impact while advancing their AI maturity.'
Gulf Business
23-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
UAE among top emerging economies in AI readiness: report
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The UAE ranks among the top emerging global economies in artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), presented during the Dubai AI Assembly at Dubai AI Week. The study, titled GCC AI Pulse: Mapping the Region's Readiness for an AI-Driven Future , is based on BCG's 2024 AI Maturity Matrix, which categorises countries into four archetypes: AI Emergents, Practitioners, Contenders, and Pioneers. The UAE has been placed in the 'AI Contender' category, alongside 31 other economies, including Saudi Arabia. Other Gulf nations — Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain — are classified as AI Practitioners. While no GCC country has yet reached the 'AI Pioneer' category, which includes the US, UK and China, the report highlights the region's potential for advancement. 'The UAE is poised to be a regional leader among global AI Pioneers by capitalising on its established digital infrastructure and formulating strategic initiatives that support AI integration into its economic visions,' said Dr Akram Awad, MD and partner at BCG. Strategic vision, infrastructure drive UAE's AI push The UAE has emerged as a first mover in AI governance, having launched a National AI Strategy in 2017 and appointing the world's first Minister of AI. According to The UAE currently hosts 35 data centres and has the highest public cloud expenditure per employee in the GCC at $228. It also boasts nearly 7,000 AI specialists and around 700 AI-related academic publications. However, BCG says expanding the domestic talent pool and fostering globally recognised innovation remains critical to achieving AI Pioneer status. Investment momentum and global ambitions The report also points to elevated private-sector investment in the UAE, which already exceeds the average within its AI Contender peer group. It highlights the $100bn MGX fund as a reflection of the country's global AI ambitions. 'Advancing private sector engagement and investment, improving R&D outcomes to global innovation levels, and expanding the homegrown AI talent pool will further solidify the UAE's position as a global AI leader,' said Rami Mourtada, partner and director at BCG. GCC region accelerates toward AI maturity Saudi Arabia, another AI Contender, has made strides through regulatory leadership and the work of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), with a target to become one of the top 15 AI nations by 2030. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait are also progressing through national strategies, modern infrastructure investments and upskilling initiatives. 'The UAE stands out as a beacon of advanced leadership and execution in AI—but what makes this moment remarkable is the broader wave of transformation across the GCC,' said Dr Lars Littig, MD and partner at BCG. Pathways to progress BCG's ASPIRE framework, central to the report, offers a strategic blueprint for governments to build and scale AI capabilities. It stresses the need for realigning governance structures with evolving ethics frameworks, expanding research and academia-industry collaboration, and ensuring global competitiveness through international talent acquisition and policy alignment. Read:
