The UAE AI contender status has received powerful validation from Bank of America (BofA), which named the United Arab Emirates as one of the strongest artificial intelligence competitors outside the United States and China . According to the investment bank's global research report, the UAE ranks alongside South Korea as a leading AI contender, supported by heavy government investment, abundant energy resources, and one of the world's highest AI adoption rates . Why Is the UAE Considered a Top AI Contender? Bank of America's analysis points to three key factors elevating the UAE's position in the global AI race. First, massive state-directed funding through sovereign investment vehicles is pouring billions into regional data centers and custom Arabic-language large language models . Second, abundant and reliable energy is becoming an increasingly critical competitive advantage in AI, and the UAE possesses vast baseload power reserves . Third, the UAE boasts one of the ...
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who transformed the tiny Persian Gulf nation into a global powerhouse in diplomacy, media, and investment, has died at the age of 74 . The Qatar former Emir dies announcement came from the Amiri Diwan, Qatar's ruling office, which described his passing as a profound loss for the nation . Sheikh Hamad ruled from 1995 until his historic abdication in 2013, when he voluntarily handed power to his son, the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani . Who Was Qatar's Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani? Born in Doha in January 1952, Sheikh Hamad attended the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst before becoming a Major General in the Qatar Armed Forces . In 1977, he was appointed Heir Apparent and Minister of Defence, later becoming Chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning in 1989 . He came to power in June 1995 after a bloodless coup that overthrew his father while the latter was abroad . How Did Sh...