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.