Gulf Cooperation Council Emerging as a Global AI Leader
Massive investments and strategic initiatives position the Gulf region alongside the US and China in artificial intelligence development.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is increasingly recognized as a burgeoning leader in artificial intelligence (AI), with experts forecasting its ascent to global prominence alongside established hubs in the United States and China.
This trend is attributed to substantial investments, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to leveraging technology for economic transformation.
During a recent panel discussion organized by Georgetown University in collaboration with the Dubai Media Council, Dr. Karim El Solh, founder and Managing Director of Gulf Capital, emphasized the GCC's escalating role in AI innovation.
"With OpenAI forming partnerships in the region and the UAE investing in Stargate, we are witnessing the rise of three AI hubs — the US, China, and the Gulf," he stated.
Investment figures underscore the ambition of GCC countries.
Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund has pledged $100 billion to AI development, while Saudi Arabia has dedicated $40 billion towards similar objectives.
This financial commitment reflects a broader strategy to integrate AI technologies across various sectors, which, according to officials, is expected to revamp the economies of Gulf nations.
Officials highlighted Dubai’s trajectory from a regional trading center to a leading global economic hub, now further enhanced by the adoption of AI and blockchain technologies.
Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, outlined Dubai's aim to double its economy by 2033, placing a strong emphasis on foreign trade and establishing Dubai as a premier destination for global business.
Lootah elaborated on the role of AI in this vision, particularly through the D33 agenda, which aims to boost the industrial sector and expand the value of exports.
He mentioned a target to generate Dh100 billion annually through digital products, facilitated by AI and blockchain advancements.
"Digital infrastructure investment will create seamless connectivity between businesses, government services, and international markets," he added, reinforcing Dubai’s strategic ambitions.
The media landscape in Dubai is similarly evolving, with AI significantly influencing content creation and audience engagement.
Mohamed AlMulla, CEO of Dubai Media, underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration across industries.
"From the media perspective, technological evolution plays a major role in how we shape our industry as well as human engagement," AlMulla noted, referencing the emphasis on cross-industry collaboration to foster growth.
AI's impact extends to social development initiatives as well.
Maitha Al Shamsi, CEO of the Community Empowerment Sector, discussed the utilization of data-driven insights to enhance policy-making and community well-being.
"We are really looking into data and how we can harness the power of data," she stated.
The establishment of the Social and Community Development Authority aims to leverage AI to monitor social trends, thereby enabling the creation of inclusive policies to attract talent and foster innovation.
The GCC's proactive stance in embracing AI technologies positions it as a formidable player on the global stage, paralleling other advanced economies in the race towards technological advancement.
This trend is attributed to substantial investments, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to leveraging technology for economic transformation.
During a recent panel discussion organized by Georgetown University in collaboration with the Dubai Media Council, Dr. Karim El Solh, founder and Managing Director of Gulf Capital, emphasized the GCC's escalating role in AI innovation.
"With OpenAI forming partnerships in the region and the UAE investing in Stargate, we are witnessing the rise of three AI hubs — the US, China, and the Gulf," he stated.
Investment figures underscore the ambition of GCC countries.
Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund has pledged $100 billion to AI development, while Saudi Arabia has dedicated $40 billion towards similar objectives.
This financial commitment reflects a broader strategy to integrate AI technologies across various sectors, which, according to officials, is expected to revamp the economies of Gulf nations.
Officials highlighted Dubai’s trajectory from a regional trading center to a leading global economic hub, now further enhanced by the adoption of AI and blockchain technologies.
Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, outlined Dubai's aim to double its economy by 2033, placing a strong emphasis on foreign trade and establishing Dubai as a premier destination for global business.
Lootah elaborated on the role of AI in this vision, particularly through the D33 agenda, which aims to boost the industrial sector and expand the value of exports.
He mentioned a target to generate Dh100 billion annually through digital products, facilitated by AI and blockchain advancements.
"Digital infrastructure investment will create seamless connectivity between businesses, government services, and international markets," he added, reinforcing Dubai’s strategic ambitions.
The media landscape in Dubai is similarly evolving, with AI significantly influencing content creation and audience engagement.
Mohamed AlMulla, CEO of Dubai Media, underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration across industries.
"From the media perspective, technological evolution plays a major role in how we shape our industry as well as human engagement," AlMulla noted, referencing the emphasis on cross-industry collaboration to foster growth.
AI's impact extends to social development initiatives as well.
Maitha Al Shamsi, CEO of the Community Empowerment Sector, discussed the utilization of data-driven insights to enhance policy-making and community well-being.
"We are really looking into data and how we can harness the power of data," she stated.
The establishment of the Social and Community Development Authority aims to leverage AI to monitor social trends, thereby enabling the creation of inclusive policies to attract talent and foster innovation.
The GCC's proactive stance in embracing AI technologies positions it as a formidable player on the global stage, paralleling other advanced economies in the race towards technological advancement.
