UAE’s AI infrastructure build-out supports ambitions for economy

AI is expected to contribute over USD 96 billion to the country’s GDP by 2031
As part of its AI 2031 strategy, the UAE established the world’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and founded the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level AI university.
Between 2020–2025, the UAE attracted USD 4.64 billion in greenfield ICT and internet infrastructure FDI, an increase of more than 52% on the existing stock of FDI in the sector.
The UAE has the highest number of data centers in the region with 35 data centers.
Khazna Data Centers is the largest player in the UAE, operating eight centers.
Internationally, the UAE is the second-largest investor in ICT and internet infrastructure greenfield FDI USD (70.6 billion).