The Zayed Sustainability Prize closes 22 June.

I want to talk about who should be in that room.

Not the companies with the best pitch decks. The ones who built water filtration in communities no grid ever reached. The food production model that works in 45°C heat. The clean energy solution serving 10,000 households that no VC ever funded because the TAM looked too small.

The Prize has reached over 400 million lives through 139 winners across 18 years. That’s not a marketing number. That’s what happens when you back implementation over ideation.

I spent 17 years in oil and gas operations. I’ve been on sites where the gap between what a company claims and what its systems actually do is measured in human safety incidents. I have a low tolerance for solutions that exist primarily on slides.

The evaluation criteria are three things: Impact, Innovation, Inspiration. What I respect is the sequence — impact comes first.

The Prize doesn’t award early stage startups, inventions, prototypes, or solutions that haven’t demonstrated any impact on the ground. That standard matters. Most prize programmes reward promise. This one rewards proof.

Five categories. $1M per organisational winner. $100,000 per finalist. SMEs and NPOs only — which means it’s built for builders, not brand departments.

If you know a founder, researcher, or organisation working in Energy, Food, Health, Water, or Climate Action with a deployed solution —

Tag them below or send them directly to entry.zayedsustainabilityprize.com

Three weeks left.

I want to connect with Investors who invest in deeptech, IP Commercialisation Experts, and exited founders who built in the DeepTech Space

Let’s Talk!

Katerina Hayes, Managing Partner, Scaler Capital

“Bridging Global Innovation & Gulf Capital”

If you are a deeptech startup?

Get in touch and submit your pitch deck.

hello@scaler.capital

We are welcoming Mentors, Advisors, Investors for the upcoming IP commercialisation Accelerator in the UAE / Saudi /Qatar / Oman

Please get in touch katerina@khgroup7.com

or drop a WhatsApp message

The current Gulf crisis is not just another “oil headline” for traders to fade. It is a live x‑ray of how the UAE and the wider GCC behave when the pressure is on – and of which parts of the regional story are real, and which were always marketing.

This Substack piece is for LPs and family offices who have to answer a harder question than “in or out of the Gulf?” The real questions now are:

• Which cities?

• Which themes?

• Which structures?

still makes sense if you assume periodic geopolitical shocks instead of a smooth path.

US–Iran escalation, strikes inside and around the Gulf, and an increasingly open Saudi–UAE rivalry have pulled the region into a different risk regime. Commentators default to “oil up, risk assets down.” That’s the visible layer. For serious capital, the more important story is:

• how policy reacts under stress,

• how capital reallocates inside the region, and

• how much of the diversification story survives contact with reality.

The Gulf is being forced to show whether it is still just a high‑beta macro trade, or whether it has become a genuine economic region with its own internal safe havens and internal hedges.

Layer 1: What’s Actually Changing in the Gulf

You can think of the current environment as three overlapping shifts.

1. From deterrence to “episodic strikes” as policy

We have moved from signalling to periodic kinetic activity: missile and drone strikes, targeted hits on infrastructure, and persistent threats to shipping lanes. This is not total war, but it is a deliberate policy choice that:

• closes and reopens airspace at short notice,

• periodically disrupts ports, pipelines, and airports, and

• reprices insurance and freight faster than most models anticipate.

For investors, that means you are no longer just pricing volatility on screens; you are pricing interruption risk in real assets and cash‑flows.

2. From quiet Saudi–UAE alignment to open competition

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are no longer operating as a tightly aligned bloc in the way many investors assumed. They are openly competing over:

• Yemen and the wider Red Sea/Arabian Sea security architecture,

• which capital anchors regional headquarters and high‑value talent,

• who shapes new logistics, industrial, and financial corridors.

A lot of corporate and fund structures – cross‑listed entities, regional HQ architectures, “GCC‑wide” strategies – were designed on top of an assumption of deeper alignment than now exists. That mis‑assumption is where a hidden layer of political and regulatory risk is sitting on balance sheets.

3. From “oil exporter” to “energy + logistics + data + safe‑haven” stack

The Gulf’s economic model is now a stack:

• Energy exports remain the financial backbone.

• Logistics, shipping, and aviation hubs move goods and people.

• Tourism and services (Dubai, Doha, Riyadh) monetise brand and lifestyle.

• Data, finance, and digital infrastructure anchor higher‑value activity.

All four layers are being stress‑tested at the same time. The weak links are not necessarily where outsiders think. Energy revenue can be robust even as aviation margins compress; data centers and financial platforms can keep growing while maritime routes are repriced.

The right question is not “Is the Gulf investable?” but “Which part of the stack compounds under stress – and which part quietly becomes uninvestable?”

Layer 2: The Non‑Obvious Macro Story

From a distance, the narrative is simple: conflict risk up, oil up, everything else down. Up close, three less obvious dynamics matter more.

1. The region gets “paid” to take some of its own risk

Higher oil prices, higher freight premiums, and higher security spending are bad for global risk sentiment. They are not automatically bad for Gulf sovereign balance sheets.

The same conflict that increases headline risk can:

• strengthen fiscal positions,

• improve external balances, and

• give Gulf states more leverage over critical supply chains.

That translates into more dry powder to:

• backstop systemic banks and domestic champions,

• buy distressed assets abroad, and

• keep flagship infrastructure and diversification projects funded when global capital is risk‑off.

The paradox: the shock that makes your global portfolio more fragile can make your GCC counterparties stronger – at least for a time.

2. Diversification is harder to execute – but impossible to reverse

National visions (Saudi Vision 2030, the UAE’s various strategies, and peers) are now too embedded to walk away from without a loss of face and credibility. Under conflict pressure, the tendency is not to abandon them, but to re‑prioritise:

• Away from purely discretionary or prestige projects.

• Toward resilience and sovereignty: food, water, logistics, tech, defense‑adjacent, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.

This can quietly improve the quality of some project pipelines even as overall risk feels higher. For investors, the years that feel the most chaotic often generate the best long‑term assets – if you can live with the noise.

3. The real risk is a slow erosion of confidence

Markets can absorb one or two big, well‑managed crises. What breaks a regional thesis is the slow drip:

• normalised airspace and shipping disruptions,

• senior talent who stop choosing Gulf hubs across a few hiring cycles,

• boards that quietly “diversify away a bit” on every renewal.

Those decisions do not appear in intraday charts. They show up in:

• long‑lead FDI decisions,

• high‑end real estate flows, and

• HQ/booking‑center choices over a 2–3 year window.

Most investors are glued to equity volatility; the real signal is moving in board packs and legal documents.

GCC SWOT: A Sharper, Investor‑Grade View

Strengths

1. Fiscal and sovereign firepower
The main Gulf states still have some of the strongest sovereign balance sheets globally. That lets them:

• backstop banks,

• support domestic champions, and

• keep multi‑year infrastructure programs on track during global risk‑off.

2. Reform momentum and execution capacity
The GCC has repeatedly shown it can design, legislate, and execute big projects quickly. Infrastructure, digital public services, and regulatory pivots are not plans; they’re operational.

3. Control over critical flows
The region sits astride not only hydrocarbons but also aviation hubs, ports, and digital crossroads. That makes it unavoidable in any plausible global re‑ordering.

Weaknesses

1. Dependence on chokepoints
Hormuz, Bab el‑Mandeb, and key air corridors are hard constraints. Perceived risk there shows up instantly in freight and insurance costs, regardless of whether physical flows are actually disrupted.

2. Concentrated, policy‑sensitive markets
Equity markets are concentrated in financials, energy, and state‑linked champions. Corporate outcomes are tightly coupled to policy. Headline risk often masks policy risk.

3. Fragmenting GCC coherence
The assumption of a unified GCC policy stance is no longer safe. Members are diverging on taxation, regulation, economic openness, and foreign policy. “GCC risk” is not a single factor.

Opportunities

1. Resilience and sovereignty as investable themes
Spending is being pulled forward in:

• food and water security,

• power, grids, and desalination,

• ports, logistics, and warehousing,

• cybersecurity, cloud, and data centers,

• healthcare and pharma.

These are commercial opportunities backed by political will – a rare combination.

2. Safe‑haven flows inside the region
Turbulence in one part of MENA pushes capital within the region toward better‑governed hubs (UAE, selected KSA cities), not just out of the region entirely.

3. Mispricing during dislocations
Foreign flows treat the GCC as a bucket. High‑quality banks, utilities, and prime real estate structures are often sold alongside structurally weak cyclicals. That is where long‑horizon investors get paid to be selective.

Threats

1. Slow bleed of confidence
A sequence of medium‑sized incidents can gradually change how boards and CIOs talk about the Gulf. “Safe haven” can become “we should diversify” without a single dramatic trigger.

2. Global downturn via energy/logistics channel
If energy and shipping disruptions last long enough, global growth slows and risk assets de‑rate. That eventually hits non‑oil sectors in the Gulf, no matter how strong the fiscal backdrop.

3. Hard choices inside the GCC
Saudi–UAE competition is already forcing choices: which hub, which regulator, which sponsor. At some point “neutral GCC” positioning may be less viable than it looks on paper.

Asset‑Class Deep Dive: Where the Non‑Obvious Opportunities Are

1. Public Equities – Rotations, Not Ruins

What most outsiders see
“Gulf index down on conflict headlines. Avoid.”

What’s actually happening

• Internal factor rotation
  The key shift is within GCC markets:

  • Up: energy, utilities, telcos, logistics, selected industrials.

  • Down: airlines, tourism, high‑beta consumer, leveraged developers.

• Banks as slow‑burn beneficiaries
  High‑quality banks tend to be sold with the index even though they:

  • benefit from higher rates and sticky deposits,

  • sit at the center of sovereign capex and project finance,

  • compound book value over time in systems that prefer stable, large players.

• Policy as implicit downside protection
  Regulators can halt trading, limit short‑selling, and nudge state entities toward support. That can feel interventionist, but it also changes the tail‑risk profile.

How to use it
Treat GCC equities as a satellite allocation:

• Tilting towards quality, low‑vol, and dividend factors.

• Underweighting sectors dependent on uninterrupted travel and tourism.

• Using dislocations from broad ETF/benchmark selling to accumulate high‑quality names.

You are not trying to own “GCC beta.” You are trying to own the structural survivors and beneficiaries of this regime.

2. Real Estate – Safe Haven vs Speculation

What most outsiders see
“War risk + real estate froth = bubble.”

What is actually happening

• Intra‑regional flight to safety
  When parts of the region destabilise, capital and people often move toward the best‑run Gulf cities: historically Dubai; increasingly Riyadh and parts of Abu Dhabi. The question is not “Will people leave?” but “Where will they go?”

• A two‑tier market

  • Tier 1: prime, well‑located, high‑quality stock with genuine end‑user and institutional demand.

  • Tier 2: speculative off‑plan and fringe projects built on cheap money and momentum.

  Higher financing, insurance, and construction costs hurt Tier 2 hardest. For Tier 1, they can tighten supply, bolster pricing, and support rents.

How to use it
If you’re an LP or family office, treat Gulf real estate as core infrastructure, not a trading toy:

• Prime residential in globally attractive neighbourhoods.

• Grade A office with government/MNC tenants on long leases.

• Logistics/industrial near ports and airports.

• Data‑center‑linked and mission‑critical real estate.

Everything else is a trade you should be compensated heavily for, or avoid.

3. Alternatives – Where the Real Structural Upside Lives

Private equity & infrastructure

The most compelling opportunities live at the intersection of national priority and economic necessity:

• Ports, terminals, and logistics corridors.

• Power grids, renewables, desalination, water systems.

• Food security: controlled‑environment agri, storage, cold chains.

• Healthcare networks and local pharma production.

• Digital infrastructure: data centers, cloud, cyber.

These are sectors states are determined to build, with long time horizons and political backing. That doesn’t guarantee returns, but it does increase durability of demand.

VC and growth equity

Conflict regimes kill nice‑to‑have narratives and favour must‑have technologies:

• Defense‑adjacent and dual‑use tech: sensors, drones, AI surveillance, secure comms.

• Industrial software and automation that harden supply chains.

• Fintech that deepens local capital markets and payment rails.

• Climate and energy tech that reduces external dependence.

The filters get harsher; surviving companies and managers can be far more valuable.

Private credit

When banks are cautious but the state wants projects, private credit becomes central:

• Senior secured loans to sponsors with sovereign ties.

• Mezzanine, hybrids, convertibles in large projects.

• Asset‑backed lending against logistics, energy, and infrastructure.

For global LPs, this is a relatively under‑crowded way to own Gulf resilience with defined collateral and contractual cash‑flows.

4. Hedge Funds & Market‑Neutral – Turning Volatility Into Input

In a world of episodic Gulf shocks:

• Dispersion between winners and losers rises.

• Cross‑asset relationships (oil, GCC equities, shipping, FX, credit) are jolted more often.

• Policy interventions make pure directional bets harder.

A well‑run hedge‑fund sleeve:

• Focuses on long/short and relative‑value rather than net‑long swings.

• Arbitrages mispricing between sovereigns, sectors, and geographies.

• Uses market‑neutral or low‑net exposure to dampen headline beta.

Think of this as an engine that converts volatility from a problem into a raw material.

AI Wealth Capital – as sponsor – sits in this camp: AI‑driven, market‑neutral, built to monetise dispersion and regime shifts rather than call index direction.

5. Fixed Income & Cash – Your Quiet Workhorse

GCC sovereign and high‑grade quasi‑sovereign debt offers:

• Reasonable yields versus developed‑market bonds.

• Strong fiscal anchors.

• Relatively muted reaction to some global “risk‑off” episodes.

This is your regional ballast:

• It keeps capital working inside the GCC.

• It reduces the pressure to sell equities at the worst moments.

• It gives you a stable platform to re‑enter risk when the dust settles.

The ability to hold everything else through a storm rests on how solid this base is.

6. Commodities & Safe Havens – External Shock Absorbers

From a Gulf allocator’s vantage point:

• Higher oil prices and risk premia support your core income line.

• Gold and reserve‑currency bonds hedge the global consequences of conflict.

From a global allocator’s vantage point:

• Energy, shipping, and selected commodity exposure hedge Gulf and wider Middle East risk.

• But you must explicitly consider scenarios where energy prices stay structurally higher rather than spiking and collapsing.

Either way, commodities and safe havens should be treated as part of your design, not as after‑the‑fact trades.

A Practical 6–12 Month Checklist for LPs & Family Offices

If you skim everything else, keep this:

1. Stay in the GCC; rotate within it.
   Don’t exit the region. Exit the wrong parts of it.

2. Treat prime real estate as infrastructure, not a trade.
   Tier‑1 assets in Tier‑1 cities; avoid leverage‑heavy fringe speculation.

3. Make resilience and sovereignty your core alternative theme.
   Food, water, power, logistics, healthcare, data, security – this is where capital and policy point in the same direction.

4. Use private credit and structured capital to protect the downside.
   Own the cash‑flows with collateral and covenants, not just the equity story.

5. Add a volatility engine.
   Market‑neutral and relative‑value strategies that monetise dispersion, not just market direction, deserve a seat at the table.

6. Anchor with GCC fixed income and global safe havens.
   They are what let you hold your convictions when screens go red.

By Katerina Hayes — Connecting Global Investors & Founders with GCC Opportunities
Investor | Entrepreneur | GCC Evangelist
“Let’s build the future.”

✨ Hello Friends & Colleagues,

As we welcome Q1 of 2026, I’m filled with gratitude and reflection. After five long months, I finally reunited with my daughter — a joyful reminder of what truly matters. She’s now back in the UK for school, and while saying goodbye never gets easier, that moment reminded me why I chose this path: to build something lasting here in the Gulf region.

Many of you know me as both an award-winning and at times failing entrepreneur — someone who has stumbled, hustled, learned, and evolved through opportunity. My path in Abu Dhabi ( UAE), ISA.org began in 2014, working in oil and gas, and over the years, it transformed from an assignment into a calling:

To help co-build an innovation-driven, investor-friendly economy across the GCC.

🚀 GCC in Motion: Growth, Bottlenecks & Opportunity

The Gulf’s economic engine is roaring. AI, advanced manufacturing, and large-scale infrastructure projects are expanding faster than ever. Yet, with growth comes bottlenecks — especially in procurement, construction, and subsea sectors, where high-demand assets like cranes are already booked years in advance.

Still, underlying fundamentals remain strong. Though I anticipate a potential market correction by Q3–Q4, the region’s diversification efforts, sovereign investments, and appetite for technology-driven growth keep it firmly positioned for long-term success.

The GCC is no longer just about energy — it’s about smart capital, AI adoption, and global collaboration.

💡 Why I Chose to Build Here

My move to the Gulf wasn’t just about economics — it was about belonging and impact. I wanted to create value through my IP, forge trusted partnerships, and help accelerate this region’s evolution into a hub of innovation and opportunity.

That’s why I’ve recently partnered with AI Wealth Capital — a GCC-registered hedge fund delivering up to 21% annual returns through a market-neutral strategy. In an unpredictable world, I’m drawn to models that thrive through volatility instead of fearing it. 2026 will test markets, but resilient minds and solid structures always rise.

🏡 Life Between Two Worlds

It hasn’t been easy living between two countries, but I’m learning what home means in a rapidly evolving landscape. I haven’t purchased property yet — looking for the right blend of quality, sustainability, and community — but Saas Properties stands out.

If you’re considering investing in off-market, sustainable developments, I’ll be sharing contact details soon for Lama, my go-to expert for premium listings across Dubai.
Because in today’s world, being close to schools, healthcare, and green spaces isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

Found this article insightful?

Looking to share insights about your company? Get in touch

Comment and Share with your community.

🔮 Looking Ahead

2026 will be a year of realignment — for markets, innovation, and leadership. As AI reshapes industries and nations race to digitise their economies, the GCC’s role as a global hub will only deepen.

My mission stays the same:

To connect investors, founders, and visionaries eager to shape the next chapter of growth right here in the Gulf.

Let’s keep building together.

Warm regards,
Katerina Hayes
💼 Investor | 🌍 Entrepreneur | 🤝 Strategic Growth Partner

This article is sponsored by Bin Ghannam Accounting & Auditing.​

About Bin Ghannam

Bin Ghannam is a UAE-based audit and accounting firm providing a full suite of financial services, including statutory audits, accounting, financial management consultancy, and tax planning. The firm focuses on disciplined, trustworthy, and personalised support for businesses operating in the region.​

Why they stand out

• Over 10 years of combined expertise across audit, accounting, tax, and financial advisory services.​

• Certified Chartered Accounting team delivering expert, professional solutions.​

• Commitment to transparency with no hidden charges and services structured to remain worthy of the cost involved.​

Core services

• Accounting services to keep books accurate, compliant, and ready for strategic decisions.​

• Tax planning and compliance with tailored strategies to maximize savings while ensuring seamless regulatory adherence.​

• Audit services delivered as approved auditors to strengthen governance, credibility, and stakeholder trust.​

• Financial advisory, business consulting, and bank account opening support to help clients structure and grow their operations with confidence.​

Client experience

Bin Ghannam emphasises prompt and personalised service, maintaining discipline, trust, and dedication at every step of the engagement. Clients highlight the firm’s professionalism and the high quality of the team in their feedback.​

If you are building or expanding in the UAE and need a reliable financial partner, Bin Ghannam offers a transparent, affordable, and expert-led platform to support your growth.

📰 About Scaler Capital GCC

New Capital GCC is a newsletter by Katerina Hayes, an emerging venture capital and entrepreneur connecting global capital, founders, and innovators with opportunities across the GCC. The region is rapidly emerging as a strategic anchor for global venture capital and innovation, powered by sovereign wealth funds, tech-forward policy, and ambitious national visions.​

This space is for:

• Investors looking for credible, on-the-ground insight into UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.

• Founders and operators exploring expansion, fundraising, or relocation into the Gulf.

• Builders who care about AI, infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life in one of the fastest-evolving regions in the world.​

Subscribers can expect:

• Bite-sized breakdowns of markets, deals, and trends across the GCC.

• Personal stories from the front lines of living, building, and investing between the Gulf and the UK and beyond.

• Occasional deep dives into funds, structures, and strategies that aim to stay resilient through market cycles.

If you want to understand where global capital, innovation and talent are heading next — and how to position yourself within the GCC’s next decade of growth — this newsletter is for you.

👉 Subscribe to join a community of investors, founders, and ambitious professionals shaping the future from the Gulf.

Follow for the events schedule across GCC

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an innovation explosion

While Silicon Valley dominates headlines, the GCC is carving out a unique AI-driven ecosystem—fueled by sovereign funds, accelerators, and a hunger for technological independence The presence of SDAIA | سدايا Hub71 KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) MEEZA QSTP shows that governments aren’t just supporting innovation; they’re actively engineering it.But here’s the real question—is this funding translating into global AI competitiveness?AI is only as strong as its data, compute power, and regulatory agility. While the GCC has deep pockets, AI dominance requires more than just capital—it needs sustained talent pipelines, ethical frameworks, and a thriving commercial market. As AI reshapes industries at warp speed, will the GCC’s startup surge create the next global AI powerhouse?Funding of AI startups in the GCC is literally on FIRE🔥 The Ecosystem Breakdown

🇸🇦 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

→ Misk Foundation Accelerator

→ Wa'ed Ventures (Aramco)

→ @KAUST Entrepreneurship Center

→ SDAIA AI Accelerator

→ The Garage | الكــراج → JADARA (ONG) Ventures

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

→ Hub71

→ DIFC FinTech Hive

→ Intelak Hub

→ Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa)

🇶🇦 State of Qatar

→ Qatar Science & Technology Park

→ Digital Incubation Center

→ Qatar Development Bank Bank

→ Qatar Investment Authority

The GCC is poised to become a global AI leader but the journey is just beginning. With the right mix of investment, talent, and innovation this region could redefine the future of technology. What’s your take? Will the GCC emerge as the next AI powerhouse? Let’s discuss! 👇

hashtag#AI hashtag#GCCInnovation hashtag#Startups hashtag#TechEcosystem hashtag#ArtificialIntelligence hashtag#SaudiArabia hashtag#UAE hashtag#Qatar hashtag#FutureOfTech hashtag#AIRevolution

Are you ready to take your business to the next level in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or the UAE? Subscribe and stay tuned for the latest news and

Get in touch services on business expansion, registration, and investment opportunities in the region at katerina at khgroup7.com

🌍 Let’s turn your ambitions into reality. 🚀

👉 Subscribe now and let’s start your journey to success in the Middle East!

Let’s Collaborate! 🚀

I love showcasing innovative services, products, and brands to my global startup ecosystem and investor network through my Demystifying the Middle East newsletter.

If you're a startup exploring GCC market entry, seeking investment globally, or want a story to share fill out the form! You can also share an affiliate code or products I can feature with my VC and global startup ecosystem audience.

Let’s create opportunities together! 🔗 Affiliate & Opportunity Expression Form

AI Everything Global: Three Days of Innovation, Collaboration and Vision

Day 1: Abu Dhabi – Setting the Global AI Agenda

AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it's a transformative force reshaping our world today. The AI Everything Global conference kicked off at the prestigious St. Regis in Abu Dhabi, bringing together the brightest minds in artificial intelligence from across the globe. The discussions were both thought-provoking and inspiring, offering a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Key Insights from Day 1

Cybersecurity at the Forefront

Muhammad Bilal Awan emphasised the critical need for robust cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard AI systems. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into critical infrastructure, protecting these systems from vulnerabilities is paramount to maintaining trust and security.

Middle Eastern Innovation

Rasha Ashraf Al Badramany offered fascinating insights into the challenges and triumphs of implementing AI in the Middle East. The region's growth is powered by remarkable ambition, overcoming infrastructure hurdles while thriving on healthy competition that accelerates progress. Following Uber's acquisition of Careem, the search for the next unicorn continues—who will lead the next wave of innovation?

Data Privacy Concerns

Miki Bito explored the pressing issue of data privacy, particularly how consumers are often unwittingly sharing data with platforms like OpenAI. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for decentralised solutions to protect consumer data and limit unnecessary sharing.

AI for Health and Safety

Vipin Gupta showcased the revolutionary potential of robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) in hazardous industries, demonstrating how AI and robotics can dramatically improve health and safety standards while reducing workplace risks.

Celebrating Diversity in Technology

The increasing presence of women in technology was a refreshing highlight of the conference:

- Sharan Bhinder's journey from hospitality to co-founding a customer service automation startup exemplifies the transformative power of AI in unexpected sectors.

- China's Female Entrepreneurs: Estelle Yangfeng of COOL AI and WhaleFlux's Jolie Li and Niki Y presented cutting-edge infrastructure and model services, highlighting China's global ambitions and the growing role of women in AI leadership.

Day 2: Dubai – Scaling AI for Global Impact

The conference shifted to Dubai, where discussions centred on applying AI solutions to tackle global challenges.

Smart Cities Revolution
Dubai's ambitious vision of becoming the world's leading smart city took centre stage, with discussions on how AI can optimise urban planning, transportation, and energy management. Startups like Twinsity demonstrated platforms using drone data and AI to monitor infrastructure in real-time.

AI for Climate Action
Experts explored how AI can address pressing environmental challenges. From optimising energy consumption to predicting climate patterns, AI is emerging as a crucial tool in the fight against climate change, with applications in monitoring deforestation, tracking carbon emissions, and developing renewable energy solutions.

Government Leadership in AI
Government representatives from the UAE and beyond discussed the vital importance of public-private partnerships in driving AI innovation. The UAE's National AI Strategy 2031 was highlighted as a model for countries aiming to fully integrate AI into their economies.

Transforming Education
Education emerged as a key sector where AI can make a profound impact. From personalised learning platforms to AI-powered tutoring systems, the potential to democratise education and bridge the global skills gap was extensively discussed.

Day 3: Ethical AI and Global Collaboration

The final day emphasised the critical importance of international cooperation and ethical frameworks in advancing AI.

Breaking Down Barriers
With AI development concentrated in a few regions, there is a growing need for knowledge sharing and cooperation to ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably. Initiatives like the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) were showcased as examples of how countries can work together to address common challenges.

Prioritising Ethics
Experts emphasised the need for transparent, fair, and accountable AI systems, addressing biases in AI algorithms and ensuring that AI technologies promote social good. The role of open-source AI development in fostering transparency and trust was also highlighted.

Healthcare Innovation
Healthcare remained a focal point, with discussions on how AI can expand access to quality care, particularly in underserved regions. Startups like SaaSProHealth demonstrated AI-powered platforms for real-time medical data analysis, while experts highlighted the potential of AI in early disease detection and personalised treatment.

Preparing for the Future of Work
As AI continues to transform industries, panels explored how businesses and governments can prepare by reskilling workers, creating new opportunities, and ensuring that AI complements human capabilities rather than simply replacing them.

Spotlight on Global Innovators

The event featured groundbreaking startups from around the world:

• Pulsar.ml (Canada): Impressed with its AI governance tools, emphasising transparency and compliance

• Booster Robotics (China): Demonstrated the potential of humanoid robots in manufacturing and logistics

• LetsScan - SWYGMA (France): Showcased an AI-powered baby translator, highlighting diverse AI applications in everyday life

• European Startups: Presented innovative solutions in healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainability

The Tale of Two Cities: Complementary AI Strategies

A fascinating aspect of the UAE's AI leadership is the complementary approaches taken by Abu Dhabi and Dubai, each carving out distinct yet harmonious paths toward a common vision.

Abu Dhabi: The Research Powerhouse

Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as the research and development engine of the UAE's AI strategy:

• Advanced Technology Research: The Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) serves as the overarching body for technological innovation, with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) focusing specifically on applied AI research.

• World-Class Education: The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) stands as the world's first graduate-level, research-based academic institution dedicated exclusively to AI.

• Homegrown AI Models: Abu Dhabi has developed Falcon AI, an impressive large-scale language model released by TII, and launched AI71, a new AI company building on the Falcon generative AI models.

• Regulatory Leadership: The emirate has issued several decrees and guidelines related to AI regulation, with free zones such as ADGM and DIFC regulating AI through amendments to existing data protection laws.

Dubai: The Commercial Innovator

Dubai has focused on practical applications and economic integration:

• Economic Transformation: Dubai aims to contribute AED 100 billion annually to its economy from digital transformation projects, including AI initiatives.

• Smart City Implementation: The city has rolled out numerous AI-powered projects that are transforming urban life:

  • The Dubai Now App offers over 130 government services in one platform

  • AI chatbots like Rashid provide 24/7 assistance to residents

  • Smart traffic systems adjust signals based on real-time congestion

• AI Governance: Dubai has introduced a universal blueprint for AI to advance adoption and aims to become a global hub for AI governance and legislation.

• Private Sector Engagement: Plans to establish AI and Web3 incubators and introduce an AI commercial license highlight Dubai's focus on business applications.

• Ethical Framework: Digital Dubai has developed an Ethical AI Toolkit and AI Lab, focusing on responsible AI development.

Smart City Showcase

Dubai's smart city initiative provides a remarkable real-world laboratory for AI implementation:

• Healthcare Revolution: AI-driven systems at Dubai Health Authority detect diseases like cancer at early stages, while AI-powered robotic surgeries improve precision and reduce recovery times.

• Sustainable Solutions: AI-optimised smart grids at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park balance supply and demand, while smart systems improve water efficiency in desalination plants.

• Autonomous Transport: Dubai aims to have 25% of all transport trips automated by 2030, including autonomous taxis and air taxis.

The Path Forward

AI Everything Global reinforced that artificial intelligence is not just a tool—it's a strategy. When used effectively, it has the potential to unlock innovation, drive efficiency, and create meaningful impact. However, this must be done responsibly, with a focus on empowering individuals and organisations to use AI ethically.

From encryption and data privacy to scaling solutions for global challenges, the focus must remain on creating technology that serves humanity—not the other way around. As we stand at this pivotal moment in technological evolution, the insights from this landmark event will guide the responsible development of AI for years to come. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's planned visit to discuss fundraising with Abu Dhabi investment group MGX highlights the UAE's attractiveness for global AI investments

Investment Insights:

Abu Dhabi is making significant strides in AI investment:

1. Government Digital Strategy: The emirate has approved an AED 13 billion ($3.54 billion) digital strategy for 2025-2027, aiming to fully integrate AI into all government digital services by 2027.

2. Economic Impact: This strategy is projected to contribute AED 24 billion ($6.53 billion) to Abu Dhabi's GDP by 2027

3. Job Creation: The initiative is expected to create more than 5,000 local jobs, supporting Emiratisation efforts.

4. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Abu Dhabi's $330 billion sovereign wealth fund has warned about the disruptive potential of AI, indicating a keen awareness of AI's impact on investments.

Dubai's AI-Driven Initiatives

While specific investment figures for Dubai are not provided in the search results, the emirate is actively pursuing AI integration:

1. Smart City Projects: Dubai is implementing various AI-driven projects as part of its smart city initiative, likely attracting significant investments.

2. Economic Contribution: AI is expected to contribute substantially to the UAE's economy, with a PWC study projecting $96 billion contribution by 20301.

UAE-Wide AI Focus

The UAE as a whole is positioning itself as a global AI hub:

1. Investment Priority: 60% of organisations in the UAE have identified AI as their top emerging technology investment priority.

2. Skills Development: 62% of UAE organisations have prioritised data literacy and AI skills enablement for 2025.

3. Global Partnerships: The UAE is fostering collaborations with global partners to reinforce its AI infrastructure and capabilities.

What's Next?

The success of AI Everything Global 2025 has set the stage for future editions, with next year's event to be hosted in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. This collaboration aims to further strengthen the UAE's position as a leading global hub for AI innovation and investment.

As AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed, events like AI Everything Global become increasingly crucial in shaping a shared vision for this transformative technology.

What do you think about the future of AI? How can we work together to harness its potential responsibly? Join the conversation and shape an AI-enabled future that benefits all.

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