UAE is betting big on AI to move beyond oil

Business Dec 10, 2025

The UAE is making a huge push into artificial intelligence, hoping to shift its economy away from oil and toward tech.
With a new AI campus in Abu Dhabi led by G42, the country is boosting its computing power and signaling it's ready for a new era—moving past decades of relying mostly on petroleum.

Global partnerships and homegrown talent fuel UAE's AI ambitions

To make this leap, the UAE has teamed up with major players like OpenAI, Oracle, and Cisco, investing over $147 billion in AI since 2024.
They're also focusing on education—places like Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence are helping train local talent so the country isn't just buying tech but building it themselves.
This bold strategy positions the UAE as an aspiring competitor to global leaders like the US and China.