Gulf states reframe AI as the ‘new oil’ in post‑petroleum push
AI adoption in GCC sectors is forecast to significantly boost economic growth, though talent shortages and regulatory gaps remain.
Gulf states are actively redefining national strategy by embracing AI as a cornerstone of post-oil modernization. Saudi Arabia, through its AI platform Humain, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has committed state resources to build core infrastructure and develop Arabic multimodal models. Concurrently, the UAE is funding its $100 billion MGX initiative and supporting projects like G42 and the Falcon open-source model from Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute.
Economic rationale underpins this ambition. Observers suggest that broad AI adoption across GCC sectors, including energy, healthcare, aviation, and government services, could add as much as $150 billion to regional GDP. Yet, concerns persist around workforce limitations, regulatory maturation, and geopolitical complications tied to supply chain dependencies.
Interest in AI has also reached geopolitical levels. Gulf leaders have struck partnerships with US firms to secure advanced AI chips and infrastructure, as seen during high-profile agreements with Nvidia, AMD, and Amazon. Critics caution that hosting major data centres in geopolitically volatile zones introduces physical and strategic risks, especially in contexts of rising regional tension.
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