The UAE has officially ranked among the top emerging global economies in artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, according to a report titled ‘GCC AI Pulse: Mapping the Region’s Readiness for an AI-Driven Future’ by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
According to BCG’s inaugural AI Maturity Matrix, the UAE has earned the designation of AI Contender alongside 31 economies worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, the United States, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Canada, among others. The AI Maturity Matrix identified four economic archetypes based on their level of AI readiness: AI Emergents, Practitioners, Contenders, and Pioneers.
Other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, were placed in the AI Practitioners category, indicating a substantial opportunity to advance AI readiness and leadership in the region, with the UAE making similar progress.
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From Regional Leader to Global Contender
As a first-mover in terms of AI governance and the leading nation globally in sovereign investment, the UAE mirrors many benchmarks set by established AI Pioneers, reflecting its successful integration of AI technologies on a national scale. The country’s vision, reflected in robust policy initiatives such as the National AI Strategy 2031 and the appointment of the world’s first AI Minister in 2017, demonstrates a strong direction towards AI-centric economic and social value.
The human capital aspect, with nearly 7,000 AI specialists in the country, highlights a robust base, yet expanding this talent pool is essential to sustain innovation, drive economic transformation, and keep pace with AI advancements. The UAE is also among the regional leaders in AI-related research, with approximately 700 AI-related publications. However, there remains a palpable need to bridge the gap toward achieving globally recognized innovations.
While the UAE surpasses the average investment level within its peer group (AI Contenders), focusing on mobilizing further private sector capital and deeper involvement in AI ventures would allow the UAE to be positioned at the AI Pioneer level. The country has also demonstrated global ambition through significant foreign investments, including the USD 100 billion MGX fund, which reflects its strategic commitment to shaping the future of AI beyond its borders.
On the infrastructure front, the UAE is well-positioned, with 35 data centers and the highest public cloud expenditure per employee in the GCC at USD 228, creating a robust foundation for AI technologies and platforms to thrive.
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GCC's Unified Push Toward AI Maturity
Beyond the UAE, the broader GCC region is witnessing an accelerated push toward AI maturity. Saudi Arabia, also an AI Contender, has made major strides with a robust digital foundation, regulatory leadership through the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the ambitious goal to be among the top 15 AI nations by 2030.
Qatar and Oman are building modern infrastructure and upskilling initiatives, having implemented a national AI strategy and the Makeen Nanodegree program, respectively. Meanwhile, Bahrain and Kuwait are laying the groundwork for AI readiness through fintech-driven ecosystems and foundational strategies.
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