Sheikh Hamdan Engages with Google on AI Advancements in Dubai
Crown Prince of Dubai highlights collaboration with Google to enhance digital economy ambitions.
DUBAI: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, conducted a visit to Google's offices at the Dubai Innovation Hub to examine the latest innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) presented by the technology company.
In a social media communication, Sheikh Hamdan articulated Dubai's pride in its ongoing partnerships with major global technology firms such as Google, recognizing these collaborations as pivotal to the achievement of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the city’s aspiration to emerge as a global beacon of the digital economy.
The Sheikh's visit was met by Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, alongside Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other senior officials.
This engagement underscored the longstanding relationship between the UAE and Google, dating back to 2008 when Google established its largest office in the MENA region in Dubai.
The meeting allowed Sheikh Hamdan to be briefed on AI-driven initiatives including the Gemini personal assistant and NotebookLM.
Additionally, he previewed the inaugural Google Economic Impact Report for 2024 pertaining to the UAE, which illustrates the economic contributions of Google’s various services, including Search, YouTube, Maps, Cloud, and Ads.
As part of the visit, Sheikh Hamdan toured the Google Accessibility Discovery Center, inaugurated in September 2024. This center is the first of its kind in the MENA region and ranks among only seven centers globally aimed at fostering inclusive technological development.
Google reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing digital skills in the region, highlighting that its ‘Grow with Google’ initiative has successfully trained over 420,000 individuals in the applications of AI technologies for business growth.
Concluding the visit, Sheikh Hamdan expressed appreciation for Google’s support in advancing the UAE’s technological aspirations, reiterating Dubai’s commitment to establishing itself as a global hub for innovation.
He emphasized the essential nature of these alliances in fulfilling the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to drive AED100 billion in annual value through digital transformation initiatives.
Accompanying Sheikh Hamdan were Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Helal Saeed Al Marri, the Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The visit highlighted the UAE's strategic emphasis on AI as a cornerstone for economic development, with Dubai actively collaborating on future technology initiatives to strengthen its position as a leader in the digital arena.
In a social media communication, Sheikh Hamdan articulated Dubai's pride in its ongoing partnerships with major global technology firms such as Google, recognizing these collaborations as pivotal to the achievement of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the city’s aspiration to emerge as a global beacon of the digital economy.
The Sheikh's visit was met by Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, alongside Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other senior officials.
This engagement underscored the longstanding relationship between the UAE and Google, dating back to 2008 when Google established its largest office in the MENA region in Dubai.
The meeting allowed Sheikh Hamdan to be briefed on AI-driven initiatives including the Gemini personal assistant and NotebookLM.
Additionally, he previewed the inaugural Google Economic Impact Report for 2024 pertaining to the UAE, which illustrates the economic contributions of Google’s various services, including Search, YouTube, Maps, Cloud, and Ads.
As part of the visit, Sheikh Hamdan toured the Google Accessibility Discovery Center, inaugurated in September 2024. This center is the first of its kind in the MENA region and ranks among only seven centers globally aimed at fostering inclusive technological development.
Google reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing digital skills in the region, highlighting that its ‘Grow with Google’ initiative has successfully trained over 420,000 individuals in the applications of AI technologies for business growth.
Concluding the visit, Sheikh Hamdan expressed appreciation for Google’s support in advancing the UAE’s technological aspirations, reiterating Dubai’s commitment to establishing itself as a global hub for innovation.
He emphasized the essential nature of these alliances in fulfilling the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to drive AED100 billion in annual value through digital transformation initiatives.
Accompanying Sheikh Hamdan were Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Helal Saeed Al Marri, the Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The visit highlighted the UAE's strategic emphasis on AI as a cornerstone for economic development, with Dubai actively collaborating on future technology initiatives to strengthen its position as a leader in the digital arena.
