The UAE has been designated as an “AI Contender” in Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) 2024 AI Maturity Matrix, placing it among 31 global economies progressing toward advanced artificial intelligence (AI) readiness. This classification was highlighted in BCG’s GCC AI Pulse report, unveiled during Dubai AI Week 2025.
The AI Maturity Matrix categorises countries into four tiers: Emergents, Practitioners, Contenders, and Pioneers. While the UAE and Saudi Arabia are identified as Contenders, other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain—are classified as Practitioners.
The UAE’s advancement in AI is underpinned by strategic initiatives, including the launch of the National AI Strategy in 2017 and the appointment of the world’s first Minister of AI. The country hosts 35 data centres and records the highest public cloud expenditure per employee in the GCC at $228. Additionally, it has nearly 7,000 AI specialists and approximately 700 AI-related academic publications.
Private sector engagement is also notable, with the UAE surpassing average investment levels within its peer group. Establishing the $100 billion MGX fund reflects the nation’s commitment to global AI development.
BCG emphasises that to achieve “AI Pioneer” status, the UAE should focus on expanding its domestic AI talent pool, enhancing research and development outcomes, and increasing private sector investment. The broader GCC region is also experiencing a push toward AI maturity, with countries implementing national strategies and infrastructure investments to bolster their AI capabilities.
