UAE Breaks Into Global Top 20 for AI Talent
With 0.7% of global AI talent pool, UAE ranks ahead of Italy and Russia. MBZUAI, government strategy, and talent programs drive this transformation.
The UAE just landed a spot in the worlds top 20 countries for artificial intelligence talent, according to the latest Global AI Competitiveness Index from the International Finance Forum and Deep Knowledge Group. Saudi Arabia made the list too, putting both Gulf nations ahead of countries like Italy and Russia.
With 0.7% of the global AI talent pool, this ranking shows the UAE's investments in AI are paying off. For a country this size, thats a significant share of world-class AI professionals.
Whats Behind This Success
The UAE started planning for this moment years ago. In 2017, they appointed one of the worlds first Ministers of AI. The UAE AI Strategy 2031 mapped out how to integrate artificial intelligence across education, healthcare, transport, and other key sectors.
Then came the real investments. The Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) opened as a graduate research university focused entirely on AI. Its already ranked in the top 50 globally for AI research and works with companies like IBM, NVIDIA, and BCG on machine learning, robotics, and computer vision projects.
Dr. Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, points to the UAE's focus on ethical AI and international cooperation as key differentiators. The country built its AI ecosystem around a vision of responsible innovation rather than just racing for technological advancement.
The Economic Impact
The numbers tell the story. According to the UAE's Ministry of Economy, AI could contribute up to 14% of GDP by 2030. That translates to over $100 billion in economic output.
AI startups in the UAE raised more than $1.3 billion in venture capital in 2024 alone. Funding is expected to grow by 25% in 2025, based on data from Crunchbase and Startup Genome.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are leading this charge. The Dubai Future Foundation is rolling out AI applications in government services and urban mobility through the Dubai AI Roadmap. Abu Dhabis Hub71, working with global venture capital firms, has turned the UAE into one of the fastest-growing AI startup ecosystems in the region.
What Makes the UAE Different
While Saudi Arabia pours money into massive infrastructure projects like NEOM (with $150 billion earmarked for AI technologies), the UAE focuses on policy innovation and building ecosystems.
The UAE offers several advantages that attract AI talent:
- Tax-free salaries
- Business-friendly environment
- High quality of life
- Strategic location connecting East and West
- Neutral diplomatic positioning
Professor Patrick Glauner from the IFF AI committee notes that the UAE's strong relationships with both Western and Eastern tech partners make it ideal for cross-border AI collaboration.
Attracting and Keeping Talent
The battle for AI professionals is global, and the UAE is competing hard. Theyve created AI labs, launched reskilling programs like the National Program for Coders, and introduced special visas for AI professionals.
This talent-first approach is working. The country attracts leading scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from around the world, building a diverse pool of AI expertise.
What This Means for the Region
The success of both UAE and Saudi Arabia in these rankings shows the Gulf region is becoming a serious player in global AI development. Rather than competing directly, the two countries are taking complementary approaches that strengthen the entire region.
Dmitry Kaminskiy from Deep Knowledge Group, co-author of the report, sees this as the beginning of a major shift in global AI leadership toward the Gulf region.
What This Means for Dubai's AI Services Sector
As an AI services and development company based in Dubai, The SOO Group is witnessing this transformation firsthand. The UAE's top 20 ranking validates what weve been seeing in the market: increasing demand for AI solutions across industries, from fintech to logistics to government services.
This influx of AI talent creates opportunities for local companies like ours to collaborate with world-class professionals and deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients. The governments focus on AI integration across sectors means more businesses need help implementing these technologies effectively.
Looking Forward
For AI companies and professionals, the UAE's rise creates new opportunities. The country offers a unique combination of government support, private investment, international connectivity, and quality of life thats hard to find elsewhere.
At The SOO Group, were positioned to help businesses navigate this AI-driven future. Whether its developing custom AI solutions, integrating machine learning into existing systems, or providing strategic AI consulting, were part of the ecosystem thats making the UAE a global AI leader.
The UAE's top 20 ranking isnt just about current capabilities. It signals where the future of AI development is heading, and companies operating in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at the center of that transformation.
Ready to leverage UAE's AI ecosystem for your business?
Lets discuss how we can help you tap into the regions growing AI talent and infrastructure.
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