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Leadership in the AI Age: Navigating the Future in the Middle East

Sunday, Sep 29, 2024
Mohamed Hisham Hussein

Products GTM Manager, Digital Services

18 Posts

There’s no other way to say it – we now live in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is radically changing traditional industries, and economies are shifting to meet the demand of an AI-focused market.

Globally, the Middle East is primed to enjoy a seat at the helm of this next technological revolution.

As the region’s leaders face the challenges and opportunities that come with AI innovation, a new kind of leadership is emerging – one that requires a fine balance between innovation and human values.

 

The AI Landscape in the Middle East

The Middle East is not just interested in AI – it’s serious about how AI-driven tech and marketplaces will respond. Saudi Arabia recently announced a $40 billion AI fund seeking to lead the pack in innovation, and the UAE was years ahead of many by creating the world’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in 2017.

These investments are poised to pay off quickly. By 2030, AI is expected to add around $320 billion to the Middle East economy. In Saudi Arabia alone, the contribution will be over $135.2 billion, which is 12.4% of the country’s GDP. The UAE will see an even bigger impact, with AI contributing almost 14% of its GDP by 2030.

 

How AI Is Changing How We Approach Leadership

As AI integrates into the fabric of Middle Eastern business and government, leadership is changing as well. Modern leaders in the Middle East need to navigate a reality where data-driven decision-making and machine-learning models are key.

But the human element is irreplaceable. Leaders will still need to stand at the head of teams and enterprises, giving guidance on what the next steps should be and how those who depend on them will succeed.

Leaders in the AI age need to have:

  1. Adaptive Thinking: Leaders will need to showcase a growing ability to change strategies as technological innovations change in their industry and market.
  2. Ethical Judgment: Leaders must ensure AI applications align with societal values and cultural norms, not just drive growth for growth’s sake.
  3. Cultural Competence: Global leaders will have to continually adapt their navigation of the Middle East’s diverse cultural landscape while applying global best practices.

 

Innovation vs Human-Centric Leadership

While AI offers unprecedented efficiency and innovation, it’s a risk if ethics are ignored. Middle Eastern leaders need to balance AI with human values of leadership while simultaneously being aware of the risks inherent in the early stages of the technology.

Take the healthcare sector – where AI can support doctors in making diagnoses but can’t replace years of experience and the trust required between physicians and patients. Leaders need to ensure that AI augments, not replace, human judgment and creativity.

Only when we learn how to balance the two can we begin to see the real benefits that AI can offer nearly every industry.

 

National Strategies and AI Initiatives

Fortunately, several Middle Eastern countries have developed national strategies to drive AI adoption and innovation – helping to ensure that the human factor and the technological growth align properly:

United Arab Emirates (UAE):

Saudi Arabia:

  • Aiming to reduce economic dependence on oil and gas through massive AI investments.
  • AI is expected to contribute 12% of the country’s GDP by 2030, growing at 29% annually.
  • Launched Arabicbot, a large Arabic language model that is now hosted on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.

Qatar:

  • Qatar is already becoming a leading AI investor in the region, moving vast amounts of resources to invest in AI projects that are not only moving the needle forward but also helping drive adoption in various industries.

 

Beyond these hyper-focused investments in innovation, Middle Eastern countries are also beginning to apply AI in:

  • Smart Cities: Dubai has deployed AI-powered traffic management to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
  • Healthcare: AI is supporting medical diagnostics and treatment planning.
  • Education: AI-driven personalized learning platforms are being developed.
  • Financial Services: Bahrain and Oman are using AI to boost financial services efficiency.
  • Government Services: AI is being used to improve government efficiency and service delivery.

 

Building the Future – AI & Workforce Development

As AI changes industries, the demand for new skills is only increasing. And in a region where youth unemployment is becoming a greater and greater challenge, AI may be both a threat and an opportunity. Leaders must adapt quickly, such as investing in upskilling their workforce to stay competitive.

Saudi Arabia – through its Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) – is investing in education and training programs to build a new generation of AI professionals. The UAE’s AI strategy includes initiatives to integrate AI into school curricula and lifelong learning for adults. These initiatives and more are just one of the many ways that leaders can take a holistic stance on AI and their workforce.

 

The Way Forward: Smart Leadership in the Middle East

The AI era requires a new kind of leadership – one that is agile, ethical, and culturally aware. By adopting these traits and building a culture of continuous learning and innovation, Middle East leaders can navigate the AI challenges and lead their organizations to a brighter future.

As governments in the region invest in AI, the alignment between public initiatives and private leadership will be the key to unlocking the full potential of AI for the benefit of all. The future of leadership in the Middle East is not about managing AI – it’s about using it to build a more efficient, innovative, and inclusive society.

Part of this movement includes leaders. Smart leadership means not only navigating organizations through the AI journey but also using these technologies to drive economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

The Middle East is on the brink of an AI future. With smart leadership leading the way, the region can not just adapt to the AI revolution but lead it and shape a future where technology and human intelligence work together to create new opportunities and prosperity.

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