Finally, a solution to the innovation-control trade-off challenge posed by AI

The UAE has firmly positioned itself at the forefront of digital transformation. Over the past decade, the country has moved beyond early adoption to create an ecosystem where advanced research, sovereign infrastructure, and forward-looking regulation converge. This foundation has turned AI into a pillar of national progress, enabling breakthroughs that are shaping healthcare, finance, energy, and more.

What sets the UAE apart is not just its ambition, but its ability to translate vision into action at scale, setting a global standard for responsible, innovation-driven growth. The momentum is reflected in the numbers. The UAE’s generative AI market is projected to reach $382.69 million (Dh1.4 billion) in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 37 per cent to hit $2.53 billion by 2031. Agentic AI, still in its early stages globally, generated $34.1 million in 2024, is expected to climb to $49.1 million this year, and projected to surge to $352.2 million by 2030.

These figures highlight what we already see every day. Our enterprises, public and private, are not content to watch this technological evolution from the sidelines. We intend to lead it, and to set an example for responsible innovation worldwide.

But leadership comes with responsibility. The challenge before us as the business community within this nation is how to adopt AI at scale in a way that delivers value without increasing risk.