Breaking news

How AI Is Shaping The Future Of The Middle East

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Middle East is undergoing a major transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). What once seemed like a futuristic concept is now a powerful force reshaping economies, industries, and daily life. As AI accelerates across the region, its potential to reshape sectors is becoming increasingly apparent.

IDC forecasts AI spending in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) to grow at an impressive compound annual growth rate of 29.7%, with the region expected to reach $6.4 billion by 2026. McKinsey’s estimates suggest AI could generate up to $150 billion in value for GCC countries, contributing more than 9% to their GDPs.

To seize this opportunity, organizations across the region must act now, embracing AI and incorporating it into their operations to stay competitive and drive future growth.

A Region Ready For Change

Across the Middle East, governments are incorporating AI into their national strategies. The UAE, for instance, is a leader in AI adoption, with initiatives like the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) pushing AI research and innovation. These initiatives aim to make the UAE the world’s first fully AI-native government.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and various AI projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are also redefining urban infrastructure and service delivery. These include autonomous transportation programs and AI-driven healthcare solutions. Such projects are transforming cities, making them smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Transformative Potential For Organizations

AI’s real impact lies in its practical applications. For example, AI is being integrated into government services to enhance efficiency and improve customer experiences, transforming both public and private sector operations.

In addition, AI is helping various industries optimize their operations and customer engagement. With AI tools like chatbots, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision-making, companies are improving efficiency and driving new forms of value across sectors.

Overcoming Barriers To AI Adoption

Despite its promise, AI adoption presents several challenges. Organizations in the region often struggle with outdated infrastructure, inconsistent data, and a shortage of skilled AI professionals. To overcome these obstacles, businesses must invest in robust digital infrastructure and scalable AI solutions.

There is also a significant talent gap in the Middle East when it comes to AI. This underscores the importance of investing in education and training programs to cultivate local expertise and drive long-term innovation.

Moreover, data governance is key to ensuring that AI models work effectively. Proper data management is necessary to produce reliable, accurate results from AI systems.

Looking To The Future

As AI continues to advance, it is expected to become even more integrated into the region’s daily life over the next five years. Companies must align their AI strategies with their business goals to ensure sustainability and long-term success.

The Middle East is well-positioned to become a global leader in AI, with the UAE leading the charge. However, this requires collaboration among governments, businesses, and tech providers to foster inclusive growth that benefits all sectors.

Tim Cook Says On-Device AI Gives Apple A Competitive Edge Ahead Of Siri Upgrade

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said the company sees “enormous opportunities” in artificial intelligence despite spending less on infrastructure than some of its largest technology rivals.

Speaking after Apple’s quarterly earnings, Cook said the company’s AI strategy relies on a hybrid model that processes some requests directly on iPhones and Macs rather than entirely through cloud infrastructure. Shares came under pressure following the results amid concerns over supply constraints and the company’s outlook.

Device-Based AI Differentiates Strategy

Cook said Apple’s ability to process certain AI requests on-device provides a competitive advantage.

“The ability to run some percentage of requests on device is also very strategic and sort of a competitive weapon,”

he said.

The approach differs from that of Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta, which have committed billions of dollars to expanding AI infrastructure and data centres. Apple reported capital expenditure of $2.46 billion in the June quarter, below the StreetAccount estimate of $3.44 billion. Cook said operating expenses are increasing and the company continues to invest in AI.

Focus On Privacy And Efficiency

Apple said many Apple Intelligence features are designed to run on users’ devices rather than remote servers. Cook cited Disney as an example of a company using Macs for on-device AI workflows, saying the approach helps reduce cloud token costs while protecting intellectual property.

Siri Rollout Will Test Hybrid Model

Apple plans to introduce an upgraded Siri this fall using the iPhone’s processor to interpret requests and determine which on-device model should handle them.

The company said more complex requests, including some image-generation tasks, will continue to rely on cloud infrastructure. Apple has previously said those workloads use Google Cloud infrastructure powered by Nvidia graphics processors and Intel central processors.

Apple Eyes AI Revenue Through Services

Cook said Apple has not yet finalised plans to charge customers directly for AI features but sees opportunities to expand iCloud+ subscriptions.

“We do believe there will be people that want to use it a lot, and so we will have some kind of upgrade possibilities on iCloud+,”

he said.

eCredo
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
Aretilaw firm

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter