UAE excels in Global Ranking in AI Readiness, Telecom infrastructure and digital content : Ranks high in Global Indicators

The UAE has placed itself in the top rankings of global reports in the telecommunication infrastructure index of the “State of the Digital Transformation Report” that was unveiled at the Digital Readiness Retreat. 

An initiative by the UAE Government’s Development & the Future Office, the report emphasized the country’s accomplishments in 12 major sectors like economy, finance, human resources, health, education, community development, culture and youth, immigration and foreign affairs, security and justice, infrastructure and energy, logistics, and the environment.

State for Government Development and the Future minister Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi stated that the report highlighted digital accomplishments in the past years and highlighted UAE’s participation and involvement in Global competitive indices regarding digital governance, reports Economy Middle East. 

The Digital Readiness Retreat revealed the achievements at their annual event that hosts officials from federal and local government leaders with over 500 officials from more than 50 government entities. 

AI Readiness and Global Digital Growth

According to the Oxford Insights that put up a report -‘Government AI Readiness Index 2024’, UAE tops the charts among the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and ranked in the Top 10 globally. UAE leads the region with the score of 75.66 and the report also points out how the MENA region outperforms the global average in the Digital sector. 

“The region scores slightly above the global benchmark in the Technology Sector pillar (39.34) and Data & Infrastructure pillar (59.94), reflecting progress in AI innovation and data availability”, the report from Oxford Insight read. 

It is also revealed that the UAE leads the Middle East region in devising digital solutions to enhance public infrastructure, aiming to become the region’s leading technology innovator. Also focusing on enhancing their Digital Economic Strategy, the UAE has a plan to support the growth of the digital economy from the current 12% to 20% in the Non-Oil GDP by 2030. 

Among the holistic growth approach, AI is a priority in UAE as the country was among the first to launch a national AI strategy in 2017 with an aim of leading as an AI Hub by 2031. A report by PwC stated that AI will contribute approximately 13.6% to the UAE’s GDP, amounting to around $100 billion by 2030.
In 2024 alone, UAE federal government entities processed 173.7 million digital transactions, reports Economy Middle East. The UAE also has established itself as a prolific startup ecosystem providing several free trade zones like the Digital Oasis, Internet City, Media City and others. Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy announced that it had supported the establishment and expansion of 1,210 Dubai digital startups in 2024.