UAE Strengthens Its Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is firmly establishing itself as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI). With ambitious national strategies in place, the UAE is integrating innovative technologies across various economic and service sectors, marking a significant shift in how industries operate.
The Role of G42 Group in AI Advancement
In the first half of 2025, G42 Group and its subsidiaries have taken the lead in this transformative movement, launching AI-driven solutions that enhance the UAE’s technological sovereignty and commitment to sustainability. Their initiatives reflect a broad spectrum of applications, underscoring the rapid integration of AI technologies in essential industries such as healthcare, energy, cybersecurity, culture, education, and consumer digital services.
Cybersecurity: A Cornerstone of Digital Sovereignty
Hadi Anwar, CEO of CBX, emphasized that advancing digital sovereignty relies heavily on robust cybersecurity measures. He stated, “Achieving digital sovereignty necessarily requires the deployment of effective cybersecurity.” To support this vision, CBX has integrated AI-driven prevention, detection, and response capabilities within its Intelligence Network. This initiative aims to create automated threat detection and sovereign data protection services for governments and large organizations.
Innovations in Agentic AI
Ashish Koshy, CEO of Inception, is at the forefront of developing tailored AI models specifically designed for diverse sectors. Their flagship products, such as (In) Energy and (In) Climate, are geared toward enhancing both environmental and energy efficiency. Inception also rolled out enterprise tools like (In) ExecEdge, which provides critical AI insights for board executives, and (In) Business Procurement, an autonomous procurement platform anticipated to boost operational efficiency by 40% while also achieving a 10% reduction in costs.
Expanding International Reach
Kiril Evtimov, CEO of Core42, noted the company’s significant international growth through collaborative investments in France and Italy, alongside partnerships with organizations like AMD, Oréus, and iGenius. This expansion is crucial for fortifying the UAE’s sovereign AI infrastructure. One of the notable advancements is a sovereign cloud service developed in partnership with Microsoft and the Government Empowerment Department, which currently supports over 11 million daily interactions. This initiative paves the way for the UAE government to function entirely on AI by 2027.
Enhancements in the Energy Sector
In the energy domain, Magzhan Kenesbai, Acting Managing Director of AIQ, shared exciting developments with their ENERGYai tool. Following a robust 90-day trial, the tool demonstrated a tenfold improvement in seismic interpretation speed and a 70% increase in accuracy. The results have led ADNOC to award AIQ a significant three-year contract worth AED340 million ($92 million) in March 2025 to implement the ENERGYai solution across its upstream operations.
Cultural Ventures Driven by Technology
Analog is playing a pivotal role in Abu Dhabi’s cultural initiatives, utilizing robotic fleets and digital twins in infrastructure. Collaborating with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the company has launched an ambitious multi-year project to produce immersive drone light shows. With a fleet of 10,000 drones, this initiative aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for large-scale performances that merge culture and technology.
Consumer Technology Integration
Astra Tech, the leading player in consumer technology, is leveraging its Botim ultra platform—boasting 150 million global users—to introduce AI-powered services. Among these innovations are secure digital donation options designed to enhance financial inclusion and integrate AI into the daily lives of UAE residents.
Commitment to a Futuristic Vision
These various initiatives by G42 and its subsidiaries illustrate a cohesive strategy to extend sovereign AI from critical infrastructure to everyday consumer applications. As the UAE strives to become the world’s foremost center for innovation and artificial intelligence by 2027, these advancements are crucial steps toward solidifying its global standing in the tech landscape.
