Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sabah, Founder and Chairman of the Association of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AAIOT), emphasized that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries possess the strategic, economic, and technological capabilities to become a leading global hub for artificial intelligence, supported by substantial investments in digital infrastructure, advanced technologies, and the attraction of major international technology companies.
His remarks came during his participation in Capital Exchange 2026, held in Dubai as part of Dubai Future Finance Week 2026, organized by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from November 2 to 6, bringing together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, and international experts in finance, technology, and innovation. Sheikh Mohammed participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “The AI Ecosystem, Layer by Layer,” which explored the future of artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and the roles of governments, private sector organizations, and investors in developing competitive, technology-driven economies.
During the discussion, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the significant progress made by GCC countries in attracting international investments and leading AI companies through the development of advanced digital infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing capabilities, and ambitious national strategies supporting digital transformation. He noted that the substantial investments made by Gulf governments reflect a long-term vision to diversify their economies and strengthen their positions in the global knowledge economy. “The next phase requires moving beyond infrastructure investment toward developing practical AI applications that deliver measurable economic and societal value,” he stated.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that GCC countries have a historic opportunity to evolve from consumers of technology into regional and global centers for AI development, intelligent solutions, and technological innovation, leveraging their financial capabilities, strategic geographical position, and strong international partnerships. He further stressed that building a sustainable and competitive AI ecosystem requires more than attracting international technology companies and investing in advanced infrastructure. It also demands developing national talent and equipping local professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead technological transformation.
In this context, Sheikh Mohammed outlined the strategic role of the Association of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AAIOT) in supporting the region’s technological development through specialized training programs, national talent development, and partnerships with universities, research institutions, and leading international technology companies. He explained that AAIOT aims to facilitate knowledge transfer, strengthen local technological capabilities, and attract global AI and Internet of Things (IoT) companies to Kuwait and the wider GCC region.
The association also seeks to foster collaboration between governments, private sector organizations, and international technology leaders, creating opportunities for young professionals, supporting entrepreneurship, and encouraging the development of innovative technology startups. Sheikh Mohammed also addressed the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), highlighting its transformative potential across strategic sectors, including energy, oil and gas, smart cities, critical infrastructure, and public services.
He explained that integrating artificial intelligence with connected technologies can improve operational efficiency, optimize resource management, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery, ultimately strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of Gulf economies. He also called for greater cooperation among GCC countries in AI development, emphasizing the importance of sharing expertise, strengthening regional capabilities, and establishing strategic international partnerships. The panel brought together Sabir Saleem, CEO of MBUZZ; Darshan Thakkar, Chief Financial and Investment Officer of Ahoy; and Daniel Valle, CEO of SCC Middle East, Rigby Group.
The discussion was moderated by Asmae Lemniei, Managing Director of LeanX Consulting and Strategic Ecosystem Advisor to Node Technologies. The panel examined several critical dimensions of the AI ecosystem, including sovereign AI infrastructure, advanced computing capabilities, GPU investments, the role of startups, digital sovereignty, and the growing opportunities for family offices and institutional investors to participate in the development of the global AI economy. Participants also discussed the importance of aligning infrastructure, technological innovation, applications, and investment strategies to build an integrated and sustainable AI ecosystem.
Data quality
Concluding his remarks, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the future of artificial intelligence will not be determined solely by the volume of available data or the sophistication of technological systems, but fundamentally by the quality, accuracy, organization, and reliability of the data on which these systems depend. “Leadership in the age of artificial intelligence will not belong simply to those who possess the largest volumes of data or the most advanced technologies, but to those who have access to clean, structured, accurate, and reliable data and know how to use it effectively. The true value of AI lies in the quality of the data it processes, not merely its quantity,” Sheikh Mohammed stated.
He further highlighted that investing in data quality, governance, and effective information management must become a strategic priority for both public and private institutions. According to Sheikh Mohammed, access to well-organized, high-quality data is essential for developing more accurate, efficient, and reliable AI systems capable of supporting better decision-making and delivering meaningful economic and societal outcomes. He concluded by reaffirming the importance of strengthening GCC cooperation, developing national talent, attracting international technology leaders, and building a sustainable AI ecosystem that positions Kuwait and the wider Gulf region at the forefront of the global digital economy.
Source: https://kuwaittimes.com/article/53037/kuwait/gcc-positioned-to-become-a-global-ai-hub/
