The UAE’s artificial intelligence sector is among the most advanced in the world. The Gulf state appointed the world’s first AI minister in 2017, established the first dedicated AI research university in 2020, and launched a top-rated open-source LLM in 2023.
“AI is not a luxury, it is a necessity in this day and age,” said Omar Al Olama, UAE’s Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, at Dubai’s AI Retreat. The event, attended by over 1,000 AI experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, was held at the Museum of the Future under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. It highlighted the objectives of Dubai’s Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, aiming to make Dubai a leading city for AI adoption.
US tech firms had a notable presence at the 2024 AI retreat, which took place shortly after the appointment of 22 chief AI officers to various government departments, including Dubai Police, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, and the Department of Economy and Tourism. Companies such as Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Oracle, IBM, SAP, and Samsung were represented, along with AI-focused firms like OpenAI and InstaDeep. Roundtable discussions covered topics such as data regulation and AI talent ecosystems.
During a discussion on the government’s role in advancing AI technology, Rod Solaimani, Middle East policy and partnerships lead at OpenAI, expressed his strong belief in the profound impact AI is poised to have in the near future.
In 2024, the UAE’s efforts to become a frontrunner in the AI industry were bolstered by a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft into prominent UAE AI firm G42. Last October, G42 and Microsoft-backed OpenAI announced a partnership to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to the UAE and regional markets. Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “At the core of our mission lies the pursuit of AI as a transformative force for good, fueling innovation and progress. Our partnership with OpenAI transcends technological synergy; it is a convergence of value and vision.”
Sam Altman, Co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, called the partnership a “significant commitment to further harnessing AI’s transformative power... This collaboration lays the foundation for equitable advancements in generative AI across the globe.” He also suggested that the UAE could serve as a “regulatory sandbox” to test AI technologies and later lead global discussions on AI regulations, enhancing UAE-US relations and potentially benefiting the Global South.
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