How UAE is shaping the future of tech innovation

Dubai. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioning itself as a leader in technology and innovation.

By establishing the infrastructure needed to propel its tech ecosystem, the UAE is setting new standards in AI adoption, both regionally and globally.

At the 2024 Gitex Global event in Dubai, hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour’s Expand North Star, the UAE demonstrated its growing tech influence.

Thousands of tech investors, startups, and innovators gathered with a shared vision: to showcase cutting-edge technologies and chart a future shaped by innovation.

The event featured 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, and 1,200 investors, along with government delegations from more than 180 countries.

“We want to lead the world in embracing AI to unleash positive, impactful changes that best serve Dubai, the region, and beyond,” said Omar Al Olama, UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.

From cybersecurity, e-mobility, and telecom infrastructure to healthtech, digital cities, banking and finance, industry leaders explored how these sectors can evolve through digital ecosystems, transforming how products and services are delivered.

Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council and advisor to the UAE President, shared insights into the UAE’s AI strategy.

He emphasised the country’s approach of automating routine tasks with AI, allowing human talent to focus on high-impact roles.

Addressing the UAE’s role amid the global AI race, Bannai noted, “We are not too large, but we are also not too small to be irrelevant.”

He explained that the UAE collaborates with both the US and China to build its infrastructure, drawing some of the best global talent.

“The UAE is now attracting world-class talent, making it easier to foster growth,” he added.

Dubai’s efforts to attract major business brands have evolved, with the city now becoming a magnet for tech investors and talent from the West and Asia.

“We are determined to transition to a technology-driven economy,” Bannai stated. “The UAE is becoming a serial global investor, and the potential for growth makes it easier to attract talent.”

Central to this transformation is the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which plays a crucial role in developing projects aligned with the digital government agenda and supporting the UAE’s innovation ambitions.

Like many countries at the forefront of technology, the UAE leverages open-source AI to foster innovation. “Technology should be accessible to society as a whole, not controlled by a few,” Bannai emphasized.

He highlighted the launch of Falcon, which he described as the most advanced open-source AI in the world.

As technology continues to evolve, regulating AI has become a pressing issue. Bannai raised the question of who should oversee AI governance—government agencies, industry leaders, or private firms. “We advocate for collaboration between the public and private sectors,” he said. “A balanced partnership is essential to ensure that AI serves society responsibly.”