In the past decade, the Gulf states have prioritised technological innovation above all else. It marks a shift from their primary standing as oil producers to using the advent of AI to transform their economies.
And it's getting attention from global tech hubs. A former Google chief recently said Saudi Arabia has the potential to become the next AI powerhouse. Only last month, Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector economy recorded its strongest expansion in more than a decade.
Some of the biggest names in tech are pouring billions into innovation in Gulf, from physical infrastructure such data centres to partnerships on virtual breakthroughs.
In this episode of Business Extra, Salim Essaid hears from tech experts and leaders on the Gulf's AI appeal and where it's going.