At the Dubai AI Festival 2025, industry experts highlighted the UAE’s transition from viewing artificial intelligence (AI) as a research initiative to integrating it as a foundational component across public and private sectors.
Parminder Bhatia, Chief AI Officer at GE Healthcare, noted the UAE’s progress in adopting AI within healthcare, emphasising its role in enhancing service quality and expediting diagnosis and treatment. He mentioned that GE Healthcare’s AI-powered solutions have been implemented in the country, supported by the UAE’s digital infrastructure and strategic vision.
Rob van Dale, Senior Partner and Digital & Analytics Practice Leader for the Middle East and Africa at Kearney, described the UAE’s approach as a model of institutionalised AI governance. He referenced the nation’s appointment of a Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017, the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and the launch of Falcon 40B, an open-source large language model introduced in 2024.
Van Dale also pointed to significant private sector alignment with the UAE’s AI initiatives, citing Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in G42 and the creation of a $1 billion joint AI and cloud computing fund. He highlighted increased participation from local venture capital funds, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds shifting focus towards high-computation startups.
A recent Kearney study indicated that the UAE’s technology integration with lifestyle has enhanced its ability to attract AI talent by 35% and doubled venture capital investments.
