Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is on a mission to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2031. The UAE has recognized the potential of AI to diversify its economy away from oil and contribute significantly to its GDP. The country aims to deploy AI in priority sectors, develop an ecosystem, and attract talent. To achieve this, Abu Dhabi has formed strategic partnerships with key players in the tech industry and invested heavily in AI research and development.
One significant development in Abu Dhabi’s AI journey is Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in G42, an AI group based in the city. This move was motivated by the Biden administration’s desire to limit Beijing’s influence in the region and maintain the US’s lead over China in the AI race. The partnership between Microsoft and G42 firmly aligns Abu Dhabi with the United States in the global power struggle for tech supremacy. Speaking about the partnership, UAE AI Minister Omar Al Olama said, “I think the UAE and the US really see eye to eye with regards to how these technologies are pushed forward… I think we’re going to see more alignment there.”
G42, a holding firm, consists of seven companies that work across various sectors, including data centers, energy, healthcare, surveillance, and biotechnology. Its chairman, Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is an influential member of the UAE’s ruling royal family and also serves as the UAE national security adviser. The partnership with Microsoft and G42’s ambitious AI initiatives reflect Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovation and its recognition of AI as a game-changing technology.
Abu Dhabi’s efforts to become an AI leader have garnered attention globally. In late 2023, the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi unveiled Falcon10B, a large language model (LLM) that outperformed offerings from tech giants Google and Meta. This achievement put Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the AI race. Additionally, a collaboration between Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Silicon Valley-based Cerebras Systems, and G42’s subsidiary, Inception, resulted in the creation of Jais, a generative AI model trained in Arabic and English. Abu Dhabi’s open-source approach to AI technology positions it as an ally to developing nations that lack the resources to build their own AI tools.
The UAE’s vast oil wealth has played a significant role in its ability to invest in expensive AI infrastructure. This financial advantage gives Abu Dhabi an edge in becoming one of the leading tech powers in the future. However, as the UAE prioritizes its relationship with the US, it has had to make choices regarding its ties with Washington’s rivals, such as China. The UAE has had to align itself with the US’s interests by cutting ties with Chinese hardware suppliers and other Chinese companies.
As Abu Dhabi’s AI ambitions grow, so do concerns about the potential risks associated with AI. UAE AI Minister Omar Al Olama has called for a global coalition to regulate the development and use of AI technologies. He has specific concerns about deepfakes and their impact on truth and politics, as well as the potential use of AI in creating biotech weapons. While there is still much work to be done in establishing guardrails for AI, the UAE remains committed to responsible and ethical AI development.
Abu Dhabi’s journey to AI leadership by 2031 is driven by its recognition of AI as a transformative technology that can fuel economic growth and ensure a sustainable future beyond oil. Through strategic partnerships, investments in research and development, and an open-source approach, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a global player in the AI field. As the race for AI supremacy continues, Abu Dhabi’s progress will be closely watched by tech enthusiasts and policymakers alike.
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