The United Arab Emirates has solidified its standing as a leading hub for artificial intelligence, securing a position among the top 10 countries with the highest number of AI companies per million people. This recognition comes from the Global AI Competitiveness Index, a comprehensive report produced through a collaboration between the International Finance Forum (IFF) and Deep Knowledge Group. The study analyzed over 55,000 AI companies worldwide, evaluating AI enterprise density, investment flows, and overall development, positioning the UAE alongside other global innovation hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
This milestone underscores the UAE’s strategic vision to establish itself as a global AI leader. The country has adopted progressive policies, built a robust digital infrastructure, and directed substantial investments into fostering AI-driven innovation. Commenting on the UAE’s ranking, Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner at Deep Knowledge Group, emphasized that the country’s ability to translate targeted investments into a thriving AI ecosystem serves as a blueprint for how nations can convert strategic ambitions into measurable impact.
The UAE government’s commitment to artificial intelligence has been evident through groundbreaking initiatives at the highest levels. In 2017, it became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, signaling its long-term commitment to embedding AI within national development plans. As part of this vision, the UAE launched the AI Strategy 2031, an ambitious initiative aimed at contributing AED 335 billion ($91 billion) to the country’s GDP while reducing operational costs across sectors by 50% through AI-driven efficiencies. To further accelerate AI development, the UAE also introduced the Dubai Future Accelerator Fund, a AED 10 billion ($2.7 billion) investment vehicle dedicated to supporting AI innovation projects. These initiatives are complemented by the UAE’s business-friendly policies, including zero personal income tax and a supportive regulatory environment that attracts global AI enterprises.
Recognizing that AI leadership requires a strong talent pool, the UAE has actively cultivated a highly skilled workforce through a range of programs. The Golden Visa program, which offers a 10-year residency to AI professionals, has been instrumental in attracting top global talent. The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the first university in the world dedicated exclusively to AI research, plays a pivotal role in training the next generation of AI experts. Strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide, coupled with generous scholarships and research funding, have contributed to an annual AI talent growth rate of 30% in the UAE.
Infrastructure excellence has been another key enabler of AI expansion in the UAE. With more than 90% 5G network coverage, 97.1% internet penetration, and the largest data center cluster in the Middle East, the country offers an unparalleled digital environment for AI companies. Its smart city infrastructure serves as an ideal testing ground for advanced AI applications, fostering innovation across various industries.
A prime example of the UAE’s AI success is Abu Dhabi-based G42, a technology conglomerate that has emerged as a global leader in AI-powered solutions across healthcare, finance, and smart city development. G42 has attracted significant international attention, with Microsoft investing $1.5 billion into the company in 2024 to support the establishment of AI research institutes in Abu Dhabi, focused on developing responsible AI solutions. One of G42’s most notable contributions to AI is Jais, an open-source Arabic AI language model with 30 billion parameters. Trained on extensive Arabic data and English programming code, Jais represents a major advancement in AI language processing for the Arabic-speaking world. With a valuation exceeding $10 billion, G42 exemplifies the UAE’s broader AI ambitions and its potential to shape the global AI landscape.
Through its strategic investments, talent development initiatives, and world-class digital infrastructure, the UAE is well-positioned to lead the AI revolution. The findings of the Global AI Competitiveness Index reinforce the country’s impressive progress and its unwavering commitment to establishing AI as a cornerstone of future economic growth and technological advancement. As AI continues to drive innovation worldwide, the UAE stands at the forefront, demonstrating how a nation can successfully integrate artificial intelligence into its economic and digital transformation journey.