Dubai is increasingly establishing its reputation as a global leader in technology and artificial intelligence, driven by its forward-looking vision and comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering a knowledge and innovation-based economy. The city has evolved into a comprehensive platform for developing advanced technologies and is a magnet for international firms seeking an ideal environment for future projects in sectors such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital sustainability, reaffirming its pioneering role in shaping the future.
The Beating Heart
Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of TECOM Group’s commercial sector and General Manager of Dubai Internet City, asserts that artificial intelligence has become one of the key drivers of Dubai’s digital transformation. He notes that the tech sector is experiencing rapid growth and ongoing development, and it will continue to play a central role in the national economy over the next decade as a fundamental component of the UAE’s AI strategy.
Al Malik explains that Dubai Internet City currently serves as the heart of the country’s tech economy, contributing approximately 65% of Dubai’s technological GDP and functioning as a major platform for supporting digital transformation efforts across various sectors.
He highlights that over the past fifteen years, the city has contributed more than 100 billion Dirhams to Dubai’s GDP, reflecting its pivotal position and role in cementing the emirate’s status as a global hub for the digital economy and technological innovation.
Ideal Environment
Lorenzo Fanara, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, emphasizes that Dubai has become an open global lab for innovation, led by artificial intelligence, thanks to its bold investments in digital infrastructure and advanced data centers, which have created an ideal environment for international collaboration. He states, “For Italy, Dubai represents an exceptional opportunity for technological integration, as our companies possess extensive expertise in AI applications across energy, manufacturing, and sustainability sectors.
Through joint cooperation, the UAE and Italy can collaboratively shape a more sustainable and innovative future.”
A Global Hub
Ahmed Al Khalafi, General Manager of HPE, remarks, “Dubai has solidified its position as one of the world’s foremost technology centers, attributed to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has made it a global model for technological leadership and smart transformation.”
Al Khalafi explains that a unique aspect of the UAE experience is that the government acts as a facilitator of technology rather than a competitor, which has helped attract global investments and expand the number of international companies operating within the country.
He adds, “National talents are a fundamental pillar of this success, as global companies strive to develop and employ local competencies in advanced tech fields, thereby enhancing the country’s standing in the global innovation race.”
Innovation and Humanity
Amro Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, asserts that artificial intelligence will be the primary driver of the GDP in the country over the next decade. He observes that Dubai is experiencing a clear shift toward a digital economy rooted in innovation and knowledge, with AI enhancing efficiency and productivity while creating new job opportunities dependent on analysis, programming, and digital skills.
Kamel states, “The UAE has become a global platform for investments in artificial intelligence, supported by its advanced digital infrastructure, proactive government vision, and dynamic partnerships with the private sector.” He adds, “We are proud to be part of this ambitious journey and look forward to enhancing our collaboration with partners in the country to deliver impactful projects that reinforce the UAE’s status as a global center for advanced technology and responsible AI that balances innovation and humanity.”
Digital Revolution
Ahmed Adly, Vice President of Cloud Engineering for the Middle East and Africa at Oracle, believes that Dubai is one of the leading global cities in adopting artificial intelligence, both in the public and private sectors.
He explains that the UAE has a comprehensive national strategy focused on enhancing productivity, developing local capabilities, and exporting technical expertise worldwide. He adds that AI will not merely be a component of the GDP in the future; it has become an essential element and a primary driver of it.
Adly highlights that the country is launching significant projects to establish advanced data centers relying on local energy sources, positioning it to become a regional and possibly global hub for AI technologies. He emphasizes that the UAE was among the first countries to set a clear strategy to harness the digital revolution, becoming today a regional and global focal point for smart technologies.
Substantial Investments
Eric Wang, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud and General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey, and Central Asia, notes that Dubai is witnessing an unprecedented boom in the development of the AI sector, with substantial investments reinforcing its status as a global center for advanced technologies. He states that it serves as a key strategic hub in Alibaba Cloud’s global plans for expanding cloud computing and AI services, affirming that the launch of the second data center in the emirate is in response to the growing demand from local and regional companies for modern tech solutions.