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10/25/24, 11:28 AM UAE's Tech Transformation: AI and Data Centres Take Centre Stage at GITEX - Edge Middle East
UAE’s Tech Transformation: AI and Data Centres

Take Centre Stage at GITEX

At GITEX 2024, HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, highlighted how AI and data centres are driving the UAE’s ambition to become a lea
innovation hub. The country’s focus on tech and R&D is transforming it into a launchpad for the next era of growth.

By Sindhu V Kashyap
October 14, 2024

The UAE has positioned itself as a hub for technological advancement, with a strong focus on
artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres driving its economic diversification strategy.

Speaking at GITEX 2024, HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy,
highlighted the nation’s ambitions to integrate cutting-edge technologies while fostering an
environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.

“The UAE is in the business of expansion,” said HE Al Marri. “We are working tirelessly to
diversify our economy, moving beyond traditional industries to invest in new economies that
will define the next era.” Indeed, the country has already made significant strides, with 74 per
cent of its economy now in the non-oil sector. The target is to increase this share to 85 per cent
by 2030, a move designed to transform the UAE into a leading global innovation hub.

AI at the Forefront of Innovation

Artificial intelligence has been central to the UAE’s strategic initiatives for several years. In
2017, the UAE became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial
Intelligence, signalling its commitment to becoming a leader in this space. Today, the UAE is

leveraging AI across multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation, with
ambitious plans for the future.

According to HE Al Marri, the UAE recently launched an international AI policy focusing on
ethical, social, and environmental priorities. “Yes, we want to use AI, but we want to use it with
ethics,” he said. The Minister emphasised that AI should be used to improve lives, while
ensuring its application aligns with societal values. “The UAE wants to shape the global
dialogue on AI, creating policies that promote responsible usage while pushing the boundaries
of innovation,” he added.

Data Centres: Powering the AI Revolution

The conversation around AI cannot happen without discussing the infrastructure that supports
it—data centres. The UAE is attracting significant investments in data centres, with major
technology companies such as Microsoft and Cisco choosing to establish their facilities there.
This influx of data centre projects is key to supporting the computational needs of generative AI
and other emerging technologies.

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