ChatGPT for Farmers? AI at Carnegie Mellon Qatar? $100B Saudi AI Investment!– News Roundup
This news roundup tracks the latest AI trends and developments across the the UAE (Dubai), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Qatar (Doha), Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.
🦃 Happy Thanksgiving week this is your mid-November AI in the Gulf news roundup!
As part of our mission to keep you in the know, we’re bringing you the most intriguing AI developments in the Gulf. These are insights you won’t want to miss, but you will miss some of them without a subscription!
JAM CQ’s Analysis
We’ve been following developments in AI in the Gulf region and are seeing that the investment pledges just keep climbing. With Saudi Arabia’s mammoth $100 billion “Project Transcendence,” efforts to integrate AI across education, healthcare, and infrastructure are creating significant opportunities.
These AI initiatives and plans are receiving direct supervision from top officials, especially in the Emirates, signaling strong government interest in providing investors and entrepreneurs with a supportive, safe environment. They want this to work.
However, evolving regulations require businesses to stay informed and adaptable. Success in this market depends on aligning with local priorities, understanding regional needs, and navigating a rapidly changing legal landscape.
🇦🇪 UAE
AI to Pump $9.6 Billion into UAE’s Economy
A McKinsey report just revealed that generative AI could be injecting up to $9.6 billion into the UAE’s economy every year. Sectors like energy, capital projects, and infrastructure are cashing in big time. By automating tasks, AI isn’t just boosting productivity—it’s redefining it. The energy sector alone could see gains between $5 and $8 billion annually. (Al-Bayan, 7 November)
Dubai Talks About AI Legislative Frameworks
Dubai just hosted a workshop. The mission? To ensure AI is used safely and effectively without putting privacy and data security on the back burner. The takeaway? Stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to craft adaptive regulations. (Al-Khaleej, 8 November)
Emirati Aviation Authority ‘Soars’ with New AI-Powered System
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) just launched “Ask the Authority,” an AI system developed by their own IT wizards. This smart tool offers quick, accurate access to all things GCAA—services, regulations, procedures—you name it. Aiming to elevate the aviation sector’s competitiveness, it helps employees instantly find detailed info on topics like hazardous materials handling or medical requirements for aviation pros. Safety protocols? Check. Work efficiency? Sky-high. (Al-Khaleej, 8 November)
Teachers Give AI an A+ for Making Life Easier
A recent UAE study found that 85% of teachers believe AI tools are game-changers for their daily tasks. With 86% recognizing AI’s potential to up the education game, teachers are especially thrilled about automating repetitive chores like attendance and grading assignments (eyebrows may be raised here). Many expect to save 10 to 15 hours a week—time they can spend actually teaching. (Al-Ittihad, 13 November)
National Oil Company Uses AI to Boost Productivity and Cut Emissions
ADNOC, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, just unveiled ambitious plans to weave AI deeper into its operations. The goals are big: enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and ramp up productivity. At the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition, ADNOC inked deals with global giants like Microsoft to push AI and low-carbon solutions forward. Shooting for carbon neutrality by 2045 and slashing methane emissions by 2030, they’ve already cut 1 million tons of CO2 between 2022 and 2023 thanks to AI tools like ENERGYai. (Al-Ittihad, 13 November)
Early Birds Catch the Worm: AI Adoption Spurs Business Growth
A report by International Data Corporation and Amazon Web Services shows that jumping on the AI train early is seriously boosting business growth in the UAE’s public and private sectors. Surveying 166 companies across key industries, they found that while only 28% have started experimenting with AI, a whopping 88% of those early adopters reported better business performance. But it’s not all smooth sailing—58% of UAE companies are still wary about privacy and security issues. (Al-Bayan, 13 November)
Dubai Exhibition Unveils A New AI-Powered Educational Possibilities
At a recent Dubai exhibition, AI took center stage in the classroom, literally. Think virtual teachers and personalized learning systems. Highlights included virtual reality setups for immersive learning, smart classroom tools for management, and virtual labs for experimenting. (Al-Bayan, 14 November)
Dubai Crown Prince Chats Digital Cooperation with Elon Musk’s X Corp.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai’s Crown Prince, met up with Elon Musk’s X Corp. CEO Linda Yaccarino to explore potential partnerships in digital transformation and innovation. The meetup underscored Dubai’s spot as a global tech hub and the UAE’s ambitious goal to generate 100 billion dirhams annually through digital growth. Sheikh Hamdan is confident that a long-term, win-win partnership with X Corp. will drive the UAE’s lofty transformation goals. (Gulf News, 14 November)
AI-Driven Business Sector Expected To Grow by 10.9% Annually
Industry researchers at GITEX 2024 emphasized the UAE’s status as one of the fastest-growing markets for responsible AI that’s boosting the national economy. They predict the business intelligence sector will grow from $16.48 billion in 2024 to a staggering $37.84 billion by 2032. That’s an annual growth rate of 10.9%, highlighting AI’s strategic role in optimizing operations and fueling sustainable growth. (Al-Khaleej, 17 November)
UAE Unveils World’s First ChatGPT for Farmers
Minister Maryam bint Mohammed Al Mehairi announced CHAG, the world’s first ChatGPT tool just for the agricultural community. Aiming to revolutionize farming—especially in tough climates—this AI-driven tool was unveiled during COP29, sponsored by the United Nations. The UAE’s pavilion also hosted discussions on cutting carbon footprints and how tech can speed up decarbonization, with a spotlight on innovation in agriculture and hydrogen use. (Al-Bayan, 17 November)
Abu Dhabi Harnesses AI to Keep Tabs on the Environment
The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi is weaving artificial intelligence into its 2026–2030 strategy, aiming to be the first environmental government entity to fully adopt AI across main operations. Current projects include using AI to model Abu Dhabi’s ecosystems, simulate resource use, and gauge policy impacts. They’re also monitoring oil spills, analyzing fish populations, and detecting environmental changes through satellite imagery. (Al-Ittihad, 18 November)
Dubai Police Roll Out 200 AI-Powered Vehicles for Enhanced Security
The Dubai Police Department just amped up its fleet with 200 brand-new vehicles decked out with advanced smart systems and AI technologies. This move is all about enhancing traffic management and security operations, showcasing their commitment to cutting-edge solutions. (Al-Khaleej, 18 November)
Want more content like this?
Click 👉🏻 CQ in Technology
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Unveils Massive $100 Billion AI Investment Project
Saudi Arabia is gearing up to launch “Project Transcendence,” a groundbreaking artificial intelligence initiative backed by up to $100 billion. The project aims to invest in data centers, startups, and the infrastructure needed to propel AI forward. By attracting global talent and fostering local tech development, Saudi Arabia is doubling down on becoming a global AI leader, all in line with its Vision 2030 to diversify away from fossil fuels. (Al-'Arabiyah, 7 November)