Imagine a future where innovation and intelligence are so seamlessly woven into everyday life that it feels as natural as breathing. In this world, artificial intelligence is not just a tool but a societal operating system – human-centric, used responsibly and visionary in its reach.
This is not a distant dream; it is the one of the UAE’s strategic ambitions.
If the country’s track record offers any guidance, then the Emirates is well on its way to making this future a reality. Across many sectors – aviation, finance, health care, energy and space – the UAE has already elevated itself to global prominence. Each ascent has been achieved with leadership, talent development and the pursuit of excellence.
This formula is what we call the UAE’s flag-carrier model – a commitment to becoming a global standard-bearer. This time it is AI’s turn, and the stakes are even higher.
Take Emirates airline. Launched in 1985 with two leased planes and an audacious vision, Emirates was never intended to be a regional shuttle. It was conceived with excellence as part of its strategy.
Institutional craftsmanship followed and Emirates became an extension of Dubai’s ambition – built on strategic investment, global branding, infrastructure and, crucially, people. Tim Clark’s leadership did not just grow a carrier – it established a worldview. “We know exactly where we want to go,” he said in an interview last year. That clarity still defines the UAE’s development ethos.
As the first nation with plans to enable ChatGPT access at scale, the UAE is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, sovereign and globally aligned AI future
Just as Emirates became symbolic of Dubai’s international ambitions, AI today represents the technological extension of the UAE’s next chapter of global leadership.
The UAE’s “flag carrier” model – a fusion of strategic clarity and national ambition – is already transforming key sectors. In finance, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Free Zones were established not to mimic western hubs but to set new global standards.
With innovation-first regulatory frameworks, they have become magnets for the world’s largest financial institutions, FinTechs, venture capitalists and global funds seeking stability and forward-looking governance. Digital finance shows the same foresight. ADGM pioneered regional crypto regulation; Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority followed as the world’s first dedicated virtual asset regulator. These institutions enforce rules and shape markets.
In the domain of scientific ambition, the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre launched the Hope Probe, a mission to Mars that made the UAE the first Arab country, and only the fifth globally, to reach the Red Planet. But this was not just about reaching orbit, it was about promoting the idea that the UAE belongs in every future-defining conversation.
That aspiration now points to AI.
Institutions such as the Dubai Future Foundation and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence are embedding innovation into public-private partnerships. They position Dubai as a laboratory for the future and a “flag carrier” of systemic innovation. From accelerators and immersive programmes to the AI Sandbox for prototyping solutions, Dubai is designing future systems.
At the heart of the UAE’s AI vision is the pursuit of intellectual sovereignty. The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the world’s first AI-only graduate university, anchors this ambition, which is designed to export talent as much as to develop it. Paired with the newly announced 5GW UAE-US AI Campus, this is infrastructure as well as intent.
The UAE is building sovereign computing capacity to shape the future of access, trust and innovation, placing AI closer to the world’s most pressing challenges, from education to energy. This is not a replica of others’ models but a flag carrier for reaching a more equitable, globally inclusive AI frontier. An emphasis on cultivating in-house expertise reflects a deeper truth: you cannot outsource vision.
This vision has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of Stargate UAE, the first international deployment of OpenAI’s infrastructure. Anchored by a planned 1GW computing cluster in Abu Dhabi, it marks the UAE’s shift from early mover to global co-architect.
As the first nation with plans to enable ChatGPT access at scale, and with infrastructure designed to serve nearly half the world’s population, the UAE is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, sovereign and globally aligned AI future. In yet another major development announced after US President Donald Trump’s Gulf visit, MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm for AI, and Nvidia announced plans to build the largest AI campus in Europe along with French companies.
All this proves that the “flag carrier” model now flies on fibre and silicon, exporting not just capital, but co-architecting conviction with strategic partners in Europe’s largest AI campus.
If the story of Emirates airlines teaches us anything, it is that the UAE knows how to scale an idea into an institution and a service into a standard. The same DNA is now being re-engineered into a vision for artificial intelligence.
The UAE does not seek to build AI for AI’s sake. It seeks to build a better future, and AI is the megastructure helping it get there. “Flag carrier” status is not about being first, it is about being trusted, resilient and inspiring. These latest developments are a natural evolution of the “flag carrier” model – extending from national infrastructure to shared innovation and global contribution. And the UAE knows exactly where it wants to go and how to get there.
Mana Al Suwaidi, is a former diplomat and executive chairman of Strategi, a Dubai-based international business relations consultancy.
Samir Safar-Aly is a regulatory, compliance and AI ethics lawyer in the UAE
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How Voiss turns words to speech
The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen
The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser
This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen
A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB
The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free
Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards
Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser
Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages
At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness
More than 90 per cent live in developing countries
The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device
QUARTER-FINAL
Wales 20-19 France
Wales: T: Wainwright, Moriarty. Cons: Biggar (2) Pens: Biggar 2
France: T: Vahaamahina, Ollivon, Vakatawa Cons: Ntamack (2)
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Sunday's fixtures
- Bournemouth v Southampton, 5.30pm
- Manchester City v West Ham United, 8pm
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The Good Liar
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Bill Condon
Three out of five stars
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Napoleon
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Hamilton profile
Age 32
Country United Kingdom
Grands Prix entered 198
Pole positions 67
Wins 57
Podiums 110
Points 2,423
World Championships 3
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
THE%20SPECS
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
