AI platforms driving business transformation in the UAE: insights from industry experts

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, AI platforms are playing a pivotal role in reshaping industries and driving business transformation. As businesses across the UAE embark on their digital journeys, AI has emerged as a key enabler, streamlining operations, enhancing decision-making, and fostering innovation. In a recent fireside chat featuring leading industry experts from the tech sector, attendees gained valuable insights into how AI platforms can be leveraged to create new growth opportunities and build a sustainable future in the era of digital transformation.

One of the key themes discussed during the session was the growing importance of GenAI as a transformative tool in business operations. Alexander Knigge, Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Modon, a key speaker at the event, emphasized that “Generative AI is our priority,” highlighting the shift towards AI-powered platforms that can enhance everything from customer engagement to operational efficiency. 
As businesses continue to explore the potential of AI, the integration of generative technologies is seen as essential to remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving market. AI’s ability to generate content, automate complex tasks, and facilitate personalized interactions is reshaping how companies operate and deliver value to their customers.

Andrew Murphy, CIO at Abu Dhabi Airports, another expert at the fireside chat, underscored the importance of AI in his company’s long-term strategy. “Generative AI is very important in our journey,” he explained. “In the last few years, we opened more international offices, and as part of our five-year strategy, AI is one of our five key focus areas, with a very strong profile and significant investment.”

Andrew’s perspective highlighted the growing recognition within organizations that AI is not just a buzzword but a crucial driver of operational success and innovation. “When we look at AI—embedded AI, ChatGPT—we are making regulatory requirements that create a great growth runway in the upcoming years,” he continued. “Progress on embedded AI is particularly significant in our case, as our focus is less on generative AI but more on AI across multiple stakeholders. Our AI strategy is about internal efficiencies and empowering our teams with smarter tools.”

Kenneth Lindegaard, Group CIO at Etihad Rail also provided valuable insights on how AI is transforming the way companies think about data and operations. “Everything that we can use to make our operations better, we focus on,” he said. “Building an initial foundation and identifying use cases where we can get value from the power of data is crucial.”

Another expert in the conversation, Manoj Bhojwani, Global CIO at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank shared his company’s strategic roadmap towards AI. “In our 2025 strategy, Generative AI is one of the key pillars,” he revealed. “We have been investing in building all the capabilities for the last few years, and Generative AI is bringing a lot of opportunities.”

For Manoj, the focus is clear: AI is integral to his company’s growth strategy, and substantial investments have already been made to prepare for its future impact. However, Manoj also stressed the importance of laying the right foundation before reaping the benefits of AI: “You need to make sure you have your data platform in place to get value from the data,” he explained. “You need to know the quality of your data, and build that foundation. AI will only work if you have strong, reliable data to support it.”

As AI continues to evolve, its role in shaping the future of business will only grow more critical. The insights shared during this fireside chat highlight the urgency for organizations to embrace AI platforms, invest in the necessary infrastructure, and use these technologies to unlock new growth opportunities in an increasingly digital and competitive world.