Experts anticipate US$ 300bn boom in AI industry in the region in the coming years
Tech specialists have proposed creating a new artificial intelligence ‘Centre of Excellence’ in the Middle East to capitalize on an anticipated US$ 300bn boom in the emerging industry.
Dr Jassim Haji, President, Artificial Intelligence Society Bahrain, predicted that new AI-based roles will begin appearing within the next year amid a regional surge in the use of automation.
It comes after international audit firm PwC predicted that the AI sector will contribute US$ 300bn to the Middle East economy by 2030, fueled by mega-projects and a new wave of innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, a US$ 500bn plan to create a hi-tech urban community in the northwestern desert, is among the biggest single AI projects in the world, while the UAE was the first country in the world to appoint a minister responsible for AI affairs.
According to Dr. Haji, while much of the work on regional mega-projects is done by large global technology companies, there will inevitably be technology transfer involved.
“This will add to the AI skills of economies in the region, including Bahrain, which has a trained and well-educated workforce as part of its young and digitally aware demographic,” remarked Dr. Haji.
Last year saw the launch of the Bahrain Polytechnic Academy of Artificial Intelligence – the first of its kind in the region – offering an integrated professional programme based on the enhancement of creativity and innovation in the field of AI.
It came after the Kingdom piloted new World Economic Forum guidelines for the procurement of Artificial Intelligence in the public sector, designed to boost the use of AI technology by governments.
