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Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dubai and Abu Dhabi lead the Gulf AI race
Sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are fast-tracking investments into artificial intelligence, clean technology and next-gen infrastructure, further accelerating the shift away from hydrocarbons toward future-focused industries. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as front-runners, using their vast sovereign assets to stake strategic claims in the global tech arena. Collectively, the region's largest funds - including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and Qatar's QIA - have deployed over $100 billion into tech and AI-related sectors since 2023. But it is the UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, that are positioning themselves as operational AI and fintech hubs, not just capital allocators. 'Dubai's strategy is to be the sandbox, the capital, and the accelerator for applied AI,' Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence stated at the 2024 Digital Economy Forum. 'No other city in the region is moving as fast from vision to execution,' he added. Dubai's tech push gains momentum In Dubai, authorities are doubling down on AI, blockchain and digital economy development through the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai AI Campus and Dubai Digital Economy Strategy, aiming to increase the digital economy's contribution to GDP to 20% by 2031. Launched in late 2024, the Dubai AI Campus is now home to over 150 AI startups, backed by regional VCs and global tech players. The campus provides regulatory sandboxes and access to high-performance computing, making it one of the most ambitious state-led AI incubators globally. Major international tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Cisco, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have an established presence in Dubai. 'The UAE is not only investing in AI - it's building the infrastructure, institutions, and regulations to lead in its deployment. That gives it a serious edge in the region,' Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Chief Scientist, UAE Office of AI stated to Financial Times. In fact, Dubai's rapid transformation into a global tech hub has exceedingly drawn comparisons with Silicon Valley. Abu Dhabi bets big through MGX and Mubadala Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, the federal government launched MGX in 2024 - a sovereign AI investment and infrastructure arm that has already committed billions to chip manufacturing partnerships, quantum computing, and foundational model development. Mubadala and ADQ have ramped up stakes in global tech unicorns, while also nurturing local AI and robotics startups through Hub71 and the AI71 initiative, respectively. The UAE's Office of AI, created in 2017, now coordinates federal AI policy, working closely with regulators on ethics, data governance and AI adoption across government services. Dubai named among top 5 fintech destinations globally Saudi's PIF maintains global aggression Across the border, Saudi Arabia's PIF is leading high-profile investments in Western and Eastern AI ecosystems - with equity in US, Chinese, and European firms. 'Humain is a strategic effort to position the Kingdom at the heart of AI development, particularly for Arabic-speaking markets,' the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launching (PIF-owned) Humain. Its latest $2.5 billion commitment to a European quantum computing alliance and growing interest in chip manufacturing point to an ambition to own IP and infrastructure, not just buy into platforms. While Riyadh's Neom project is often seen as a flagship for futuristic living, insiders say the PIF's actual AI portfolio is 'deep tech-heavy,' focused on foundational technologies that will power smart cities and autonomous industries. How Dubai intends to become the 'capital of crypto' Future outlook The MENA region's AI push is not without hurdles. Regulatory clarity is still developing, local talent pipelines are under strain and startup ecosystems, while growing, lag behind global leaders. But with governments backing AI adoption in healthcare, energy, logistics and finance, the region is gaining momentum. 'The Gulf has capital, conviction and alignment - all critical ingredients to influence the future of global AI,' Arjun Mathur, Partner at McKinsey Middle East was quoted as telling CNBC. By 2030, analysts forecast that GCC sovereign wealth funds could control up to 15% of global AI infrastructure investment, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi emerging as core deployment zones - while Riyadh builds influence through upstream control of technology and capital.
Al Etihad
25-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
AI@70 conference underscores Dubai's commitment to becoming global leader in AI, says Omar Al Olama
25 Apr 2025 21:00 DUBAI (WAM)Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said that the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, to host the AI@70 conference in Dubai underscore the emirate's commitment to becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced added that Dubai will host the 'AI@70: Towards a Global Humanity' as part of the Dubai AI Week 2026. This landmark conference will reinforce the UAE's position as the global capital of the future and testbed for the latest applications of AI and advanced will host this global event in cooperation with the United States' prestigious Dartmouth College, from which the concept of artificial intelligence was launched in 1956. It will gather the world's most prominent thinkers and experts in AI to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the next 70 years to harness this transformative technology to serve the whole of humanity. The conference will be organised by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in collaboration with APCO Al Olama said AI@70 is a chance to address the most pressing philosophical questions sparked by the AI revolution, stating, 'As AI transforms nations and societies around the world, it is vital humanity comes together to set the philosophical direction of this technology. AI has the power to improve the lives of every person on the planet but to achieve this goal, we must answer questions that have never before been asked of us. By bringing together leaders in all intellectual disciplines, we can confront these important questions and ensure we leave behind a prosperous world for our children and all generations who follow them.'Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Authority, said, "As the home of the Dubai AI Forum, DIFC is committed to turning bold ideas into reality with a lasting impact. AI@70 embodies our ambition to fuse finance, technology, art, and philosophy in one place and chart a course toward a truly global humanity.'By welcoming the world's foremost thinkers to Dubai, we will not only celebrate seven decades of artificial intelligence progress, we will also ignite the next wave of breakthroughs to uplift societies, transform industries, and expand opportunity for every corner of the globe,' Amiri Rees, AI philosopher, Founder of a member of APCO's AIC and head of the AI@70 steering committee, said this will be an unparalleled event for humanity, stating, 'AI is taking the whole of humanity into a world where no one has yet experienced. A world in which the formerly clear-cut distinctions between humans and technology, between organism and machine, no longer apply."We stand on the verge of an unprecedented moment in the history of humanity. AI@70 is an exciting opportunity to bring humanity together, to assemble some of the finest thinkers and builders from East and West, North and South. We want to explore the difficult questions that will enable us to understand the newness of AI, to build this exciting technology to its fullest potential, and to support the development of new frameworks for a single global humanity.' Mamoon Sbeih, APCO's President of Middle East & North Africa, said AI@70 represents a pivotal moment in the future of humanity, stating, 'We stand on the cusp of a new technological age. AI represents the greatest opportunities humanity has seen in centuries, but to ensure it serves all of us, we must come together as a collective. AI@70 will allow us to define the future of AI and set our species on a positive path where philosophy, art, science, technology and business come together to build a more prosperous world for us all. By gathering the greatest global minds to tackle the most important questions, we can leave a powerful legacy for generations to come.'
Emirates 24/7
13-02-2025
- Health
- Emirates 24/7
WGS: Saif bin Zayed witnesses signing of UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact
In line with the Year of Community, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Digital Wellbeing Council; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, along with Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director-General of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), witnessed the signing of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact during the World Government Summit in Dubai. The current world landscape is witnessing serious risks to children's online safety and wellbeing. More than two hours of screen time per day increases likelihood of higher blood pressure and Type 2 Diabetes in children. Moreover, about 33 percent of children in the UAE reported being bullied online (2019). Within this context, the Pact is designed to protect children online, and it will do this by promoting a safe and appropriate online environment, minimising exposure of children to harmful content and protecting children from cyberbullying. H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, 'Protecting children in the digital world is a shared responsibility that requires efforts between various sectors to ensure that we provide a space that balances freedom of access to information with ensuring the safety of children from electronic risks. More and more people are relying on technology in daily life, so it has become necessary to establish clear frameworks and effective implementation mechanisms to protect children from harmful content and increasing digital challenges.' He added that signing the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact is in line with national efforts to promote a safe and balanced environment for children in the digital world, in line with the directives of the country's leadership. The efforts are aimed at building a sustainable digital society that takes into account the needs of future generations. The Pact, the first of its kind in the region, was facilitated by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, while the Office of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications office came onboard as strategic partners for the Pact. Moreover, numerous technology and content platforms, social media channels, internet and telecommunications service providers also came together and became members of the Pact, mainly Snapchat (leading member of the pact for its first year), Meta, Google, TikTok, X, Yango, Samsung, e& and du. H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said, 'Protecting children and boosting their digital quality of life is a priority to us. Ensuring children's safety and well-being online directly contributes to building a secure and prosperous society that leverages technology positively. By providing a safe and stimulating digital environment that gives children access to information and educational resources securely, we empower them with greater opportunities to learn and innovate, away from risks associated with the misuse of technology.' Jawaher Abdelhamid, Regional Head of Public Policy for the Middle East and Africa at Snap Inc., said, 'At Snap, we share a deep responsibility to continually strive toward creating a safe experience for our users - particularly the youngest ones. As a reflection of this commitment, we feel proud to undertake a leading role in the development and execution of the UAE's first Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact and look forward to engaging meaningfully with governments, partners and parents on prioritising the safety and privacy of young Snapchatters in the UAE.' By developing clear mechanisms to protect children from physical and psychological harm, as well as enhancing supervision of digital content targeting them, the Pact will enhance collaboration among various partners to ensure the highest standards of digital safety for children. The Pact also protects children's data, ensuring their privacy and safety within the digital ecosystem. This includes promoting transparency through continuous reporting and evaluation mechanisms according to global leading practices. It also focuses on developing effective strategies to reduce the promotion of harmful content, taking into account different age groups. Moreover, the Pact will support digital literacy programs and educational initiatives that equip children and their parents with the needed skills to browse safely online. The Pact will also facilitate the exchange of expertise and investment in research, to address the emerging risks posed by technological advancements. Finally, the Pact supports exchanging information on advanced technological methods that contribute to providing a safer online environment for children. This includes developing and using effective tools to verify the user's age before displaying content, establishing leading practices and strategies to enhance user privacy protection, with a particular focus on children's data, and ensuring full compliance with relevant data protection regulations. It also includes identifying incident response mechanisms and reporting protocols to address emerging cyber threats and immediately manage incidents affecting children. In addition, the Pact will help strengthen efforts to develop policies that enhance children's digital quality of life. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
