In recent years, the Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been actively pursuing advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to position themselves as major players in the global AI landscape. However, this ambition is now being shared by other Gulf nations as well.
A report by consultancy PwC suggests that AI could potentially contribute $320 billion to the Middle East by 2030, representing about 2% of the total global benefits. The Middle East is witnessing significant investments in AI, with experts noting a higher willingness in the region to experiment and engage with AI technologies compared to other parts of the world.
One of the challenges associated with the rapid growth of AI is its substantial energy consumption, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Companies like Google have reported a significant rise in emissions due to the energy demands of AI. The International Energy Agency predicts that energy demand from AI, data centers, and cryptocurrencies could double by 2026.
Despite these challenges, Gulf countries, known for their reliance on fossil fuels, are well-positioned to become major players in AI and have the potential to drive greener AI initiatives. The region's abundance of solar energy resources presents an opportunity to combine sustainability with the computational power required for AI applications.
Leading the AI investment in the region are countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is heavily investing in AI as part of its 'Vision 2030' strategy to diversify its economy away from oil and gas. The Saudi Data and AI Authority projects that AI will contribute 12% to the country's GDP by 2030, with the sector expected to grow at an annual rate of 29%.
Efforts are also underway to develop Arabic-language AI models tailored to the nuances of the language, addressing a gap in existing platforms. Tools like Jais from the UAE and the Arabic chatbot ALLaM from Saudi Arabia are examples of such initiatives. The focus on Arabic language models aims to enhance the region's competitiveness in AI against English-speaking markets.
Regulatory frameworks and governance around AI are crucial for its responsible development. Policies announced at the Global AI Summit include guidelines on deep fakes, the Riyadh Charter for AI in the Islamic World, and a global framework for AI readiness. Experts emphasize the importance of sensible regulation to address concerns ranging from privacy to national sovereignty in the AI landscape.
