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).

- Issac John [e-mail]

Unveiled at the Dubai Al Assembly during Dubai AI Week on April 23, the study positions the UAE as a regional beacon of Al 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 Al pulse: Mapping the region’s readiness for an Al-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 Al 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 Al Strategy 2031, the world’s first AI Minister appointed in 2017, and a $100 billion MGX fund for global Al 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.