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“The UAE is not only a consumer of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, but is also developing, innovating, and exporting it to the world,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, during a panel discussion on the first day of the 7th annual Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) on Wednesday.
“For the first time, this part of the world is a place where technology is being built, innovated, and exported at the global level. By 2030, AI has the potential to contribute up to US$1 trillion to the economy,” Yazbeck said, outlining the immense opportunities that lie ahead for the UAE. He also added that AI is not just about technological transformation; it can create a new era of economic prosperity. “The UAE is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in AI, and with the right balance of courage and responsibility, we can ensure that AI benefits society as a whole.”
Yazbeck was part of a panel discussion, “AI as the Catalyst for Economic Prosperity,” which also featured industry leaders: Mohammed Abusheikh, Founder and CEO of CNTXT and Smpl AI, and Talal M. Al Kaissi, EVP – Chief Product & Government Affairs Officer at G42. The session was moderated by Dina Alsamhan, Chief Business Officer at Qeen.ai.
AI is poised to drive economic growth and transform key industries across the UAE and the region, they concurred. Highlighting the potential AI, Talal M. Al Kaissi said, “The region is transforming it, rather than the other way around. The UAE’s advanced digital infrastructure, combined with its investments in nuclear energy for high-density computing, puts us in a prime position to meet the capital-intensive demands of AI development.” He also highlighted how AI is already revolutionising industries such as healthcare and remote sensing through initiatives like M42’s multi-genome programme.
Talking about the opportunities offered by AI, Abusheikh said, “There are several low-hanging fruits we can seize today, from streamlining government processes to improving healthcare through AI-driven diagnostics and operational efficiencies in smart cities. It’s about identifying the best use cases to maximise AI’s potential in the short term.”
UAE investing heavily in AI skilling programmes
However, developing the right skill sets and infrastructure to support AI adoption remains crucial. Yazbeck noted that Microsoft’s investments in the UAE have focused on building one of the world’s largest AI infrastructures while also enhancing technical capabilities: “AI adoption can only go mainstream if people understand what AI is. We are investing heavily in skilling programmes to ensure AI literacy spreads across the workforce, from students to government officials.”
Abusheikh elaborated on the critical role data plays in unlocking AI’s full potential, stating, “Without well-structured and accessible data, AI becomes obsolete. We are helping organisations become ‘AI ready’ by deploying the necessary technologies and structuring data for AI to deliver meaningful value.”
While the panel was optimistic about AI’s potential, the industry leaders also addressed the ethical considerations surrounding its rapid development. Yazbeck stressed the importance of responsible AI, given its exponential growth: “The speed of AI development is unprecedented, so it’s vital that governments and organisations adhere to ethical guidelines to mitigate the risks. This technology is evolving daily, and we need to regulate it in real time.”
The seventh edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum is a two-day event that brings industry leaders together for dialogue on key economic and investment opportunities. Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), the forum runs from 18-19 September at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, under the theme: ‘A Futuristic Vision for Smart Economies’.
