The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking an ambitious leap toward becoming a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI). According to Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, the country aims to have 10,000 active AI companies by 2030, up from approximately 1,500 today. This monumental expansion underscores the UAE’s strategy to embed AI innovation across all sectors, driving economic diversification and global competitiveness.
The government’s long-term plan focuses on stimulating traditional industries to adopt AI technologies wherever possible. By doing so, the UAE intends not only to secure its market share but also to position itself as a leader in intelligent automation and data-driven governance. The vision aligns with the nation’s broader AI 2031 Strategy, which seeks to make artificial intelligence a cornerstone of sustainable growth and digital transformation.
At the core of this initiative lies a national AI certification and rating system, designed to evaluate companies based on their technological maturity and level of integration into the UAE’s economy. This framework acts as both a regulatory mechanism and an innovation incentive, encouraging foreign and domestic enterprises to deepen their AI footprint within the Emirates.
Explaining the system, Al Olama outlined a tiered rating model: AI-focused startups or businesses receive a “D” rating, while those establishing local branches improve to “C.” Companies that conduct R&D activities in the UAE advance to “B.” However, the highest grade, “S,” is reserved for organizations whose headquarters, AI model development, and workforce are all based within the UAE.
This ranking system is more than symbolic—it directly influences government partnerships and procurement. “If two companies compete in the same market and one has an S rating while the other has a C, government entities will be required to select the S-rated firm,” Al Olama explained. This ensures that locally developed AI solutions receive priority, reinforcing the nation’s sovereign technology infrastructure and reducing dependence on foreign innovation pipelines.
The AI expansion plan also supports the UAE’s ongoing mission to diversify its economy away from oil and gas. By investing in AI ecosystems, research hubs, and digital talent, the country aims to attract global tech leaders while empowering local startups to scale internationally. This push will likely create thousands of high-skilled jobs and position the UAE as a regional center for AI ethics, governance, and implementation.
Conclusion
The UAE’s vision to build an AI-driven economy by 2030 reflects a strategic, forward-thinking approach to innovation policy. Through clear regulatory incentives, structured certification programs, and public-private collaboration, the nation is laying the groundwork for a sustainable digital future—one in which artificial intelligence becomes a defining pillar of its global influence and prosperity.
