Abu Dhabi and Riyadh rivalry extends to AI
24 January 2024
Commentary
Jennifer Aguinaldo
Energy & technology editor
On 22 January, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan decreed the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC).
The entity will be responsible for developing and implementing policies and strategies related to research, infrastructure and investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technology in Abu Dhabi.
The president named Abu Dhabi deputy ruler Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nahyan as AIATC chairman and Abu Dhabi crown prince and Abu Dhabi Executive Council chairman Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan as vice chairman.
Other AIATC council members include Khaldoon Khalifa al-Mubarak, Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba al-Zaabi, Faisal Abdulaziz al-Bannai and Peng Xiao.
The move demonstrates that AI oversight in Abu Dhabi goes to the very top of the government and now involves all AI and technology bureaucrats in the public sector.
The creation of the AIATC is a culmination of several years of efforts by Abu Dhabi to build capacity in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing and biotech.
It is also a broad endorsement of AI’s vital role in the UAE’s economic future. In the words of G42’s Xiao in a recent interview in Davos, “We don’t really care if every company in our portfolio has a great five-year business plan showing us great cash return … if they don’t have an AI plan for the next five to 10 years, they don’t belong in our portfolio because AI will disrupt every single sector.”
Riyadh has also been busy staging its plan to be a regional AI and technology hub. The kingdom established the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAI) in 2019.
The authority recently released a guideline on generative AI, which includes a comprehensive review of its components, use cases, benefits, adoption methods, and impact on various digital applications and vital sector services.
SDAI has partnered with companies such as US technology firm Nvidia to create applications and undertake pioneering research in the field of generative AI.
Saudi Arabia’s $500bn futuristic city Neom includes plans for zero-carbon emissions, flying taxis, a ski resort and a luxury village folding on itself within a mountain, among others. AI, in one form or another, will be involved in executing these plans and projects, some of which are reminiscent of Dubai’s ambitions 25 years ago.
Related read: Creating an artificial intelligence ecosystem
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth vehicle, the Public Investment Fund, and state-backed Saudi Aramco are key actors in the kingdom’s AI ambitions.
PIF launched a subsidiary focusing on AI and emerging technologies in the kingdom in 2022. Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence is expected to foster innovation in strategic sectors and accelerate key national technological priorities.
For its part, Saudi Aramco has set up a fourth industrial revolution (4IR) hub in Dhahran, where experts can identify areas of its operations where AI could make the most impact. Aramco has mobilised 30 teams in its “digital factory”, which are working on producing new AI products every month to replace existing work processes.
Related read: Saudi Arabia and UAE acquire Nvidia chips
These developments highlight the growing rivalry between Riyadh and the UAE beyond developing tourism, luxury, industrial and logistics hubs.
Given the omnipresent role AI is expected to play in every sector going forward, it is also inevitable.
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