Dubai and the UAE partner with Google to reshape the digital future

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, Dubai meet in Dubai to reaffirm its commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for technology innovation. The high-level discussions explored avenues to deepen the strategic partnership with Google, enhancing Dubai’s role in shaping a future powered by advanced digital technologies.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized Dubai and the UAE’s vision to become a leader in global digital transformation, backed by robust infrastructure and a growth-friendly environment. With its open-door policy for top technology firms, Dubai is increasingly seen as a center for innovation, attracting tech giants, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from around the world to collaborate and develop cutting-edge solutions. “Dubai and the UAE are committed to be at the forefront of global digital transformation and become an international centre of excellence for future industries,” he noted. “We thanked Google’s team for choosing Dubai as the launchpad for their largest regional AI initiative, set to empower half a million individuals with AI skills in the next two years.”

A critical point of discussion was the role of transformative technologies like AI in realizing Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to generate AED100 billion in annual economic value through a digital transformation over the next decade. The ambitious agenda seeks to establish Dubai as a global leader in digital sectors while attracting top-tier talent and investors. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted that partnerships with global leaders like Google are integral to this goal, enabling the city to set new standards in technology and develop scalable solutions that serve international markets.

This initiative aligns closely with Dubai’s ambitions to harness AI’s potential across various sectors, enhancing services, streamlining operations, and creating new economic opportunities. The investment is also anticipated to support Dubai’s digital economy, fostering the region’s job creation, upskilling, and innovation.

Ruth Porat reaffirmed Google’s dedication to the region, aligning with Dubai’s ambitious vision for digital transformation. Since establishing its regional headquarters in Dubai in 2008, Google has overseen operations across the Middle East and North Africa, strengthening its presence and impact. Recently, Google launched the AI Opportunity Initiative, its largest AI-focused investment in MENA, intending to equip 500,000 individuals with AI skills over the next two years. This 15 million USD initiative is set to provide extensive training and resources, fostering greater accessibility to AI-driven opportunities and advancing efforts to democratize AI capabilities across the region.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, attended the meeting. The presence of these key figures underscores the UAE’s commitment to integrating AI and digital technologies into its economic fabric, aligning national policy and international partnerships to create an interconnected digital ecosystem.

By fostering these collaborations and spearheading digital initiatives, Dubai is well on its way to becoming a premier destination for digital innovation. Sheikh Hamdan’s vision and Google’s support signal a shared commitment to creating a resilient, tech-driven future—one where Dubai and the UAE are not just participants in global transformation but key drivers of it. This partnership is set to redefine possibilities in technology, enhance Dubai’s position as a digital powerhouse, and unlock new avenues for growth, innovation, and economic value creation in the years to come.