US tech giants are contributing billions of dirhams to the UAE economy, with Google alone contributing about 1 per cent of the Emirates' gross domestic product according to the global tech company, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a global hub for innovation.
Google contributed Dh21.8 billion ($5.93 billion) to the UAE's economy in 2024, the tech major said in its Economic Impact Report for the Emirates, released on Thursday. Google’s platforms, which include Search, Ads, Play, YouTube and Maps, support businesses, content creators, developers and government entities.
However, as their presence expands, a behavioural shift led by artificial intelligence tools is quietly reshaping how people work, search and consume information.
From cloud infrastructure and AI tools to payment platforms and productivity apps, companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple are playing an increasingly central role in the UAE’s digital transformation.
Their growing footprint aligns with the country’s broader digital economy strategy, which aims to diversify income sources and position the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
Newly released economic impact reports from Google and Microsoft highlight the scale of this investment.
Google's report shows widespread adoption, with 94 per cent of adults in the UAE using Google Search at least once a month to compare prices, and 97 per cent of public sector workers crediting Google's AI tools with improving their productivity.
Microsoft’s projections take a longer view. A study released by the International Data Corporation during Dubai’s long-running technology exhibition, Gitex, last year, estimated that Microsoft and its partners will generate Dh273 billion in new revenue for the UAE by 2028. This is supported by Dh18.7 billion in data centre spending and the creation of more than 152,000 jobs.
This includes more than 41,800 skilled IT roles, further solidifying the UAE’s position as a hub for advanced digital services and innovation.
Attracting strategic investment
This surge in tech investment aligns with the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to position the country among the top AI nations globally and have the technology contribute 20 per cent to non-oil GDP by 2031.
“This ambition has attracted US tech giants. In this regard, Microsoft has invested $1.5 billion in AI champion G42 and signed an agreement to implement a ‘sovereign cloud’ system for the Abu Dhabi government,” Louis Napoletani, founder and chief executive of Mottli, told The National.
Apple, while less prominent in cloud infrastructure and enterprise software, has invested more than Dh6 billion in the UAE over the past five years. The company now supports more than 38,000 jobs, with a growing focus on services such as Apple Pay and the iOS app ecosystem.
Changing user behaviour
While these legacy platforms continue to fuel economic growth and digital capacity-building, they are also operating in a changing landscape.
Users, particularly older generations, are increasingly adopting AI-powered assistants such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT for tasks traditionally performed through search engines.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman acknowledges that ChatGPT is used differently across age groups.
When asked recently at a Sequoia Capital AI Ascent event how young people use ChatGPT, he said: “Gross oversimplification, but older people use ChatGPT as a Google replacement. People in their twenties and thirties use it like a life adviser. And then people in college use it as an operating system.”
From answering questions and generating content to coding and research, ChatGPT has become a go-to tool for many professionals and students in the region.
Shift in how we search
This behavioural shift is beginning to challenge long-standing habits. Google’s report notes that 63 per cent of adults in the UAE have used Gemini, its own generative AI assistant.
While adoption is growing, various industry estimates suggest ChatGPT maintains a broader global user base, with about 500 million monthly app users compared to about 22 million for Gemini.
On the search side, “conversational AI could become a challenge” for the traditional search model, according to Mr Napoletani. “While Google still commanded 98.78 per cent of the UAE’s mobile search market as of May 2025, platforms like ChatGPT are gaining significant traction. User behaviour is shifting from link-based searches to direct, synthesised answers.
“The UAE is seeing strong adoption of AI on the user level as well, as shown by the 344 per cent year-on-year rise in generative AI course enrolments in 2025.”
Looking ahead
Microsoft has responded by integrating OpenAI’s technology into its products, including Bing and Copilot. Google is doing the same with Gemini across its suite.
The growing reliance on conversational AI tools suggests a more profound shift in how people seek and consume information, one that could reshape the future of search, discovery and workplace productivity.
As AI adoption accelerates and US tech companies cement their presence in the region, the UAE finds itself at the intersection of infrastructure, innovation and behavioural transformation.
<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
No.6 Collaborations Project
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)
SPEC%20SHEET
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
How they line up for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
3 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
4 Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5 Kevin Magnussen, Haas
6 Romain Grosjean, Haas
7 Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
*8 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
9 Carlos Sainz, Renault
10 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
11 Fernando Alonso, McLaren
12 Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
13 Sergio Perez, Force India
14 Lance Stroll, Williams
15 Esteban Ocon, Force India
16 Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
17 Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
18 Charles Leclerc, Sauber
19 Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
20 Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
* Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth but had a three-place grid penalty for speeding in red flag conditions during practice
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
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