The UAE is among the top 10 countries with the most AI companies per million population, according to the Global AI Competitiveness Index.
The report, a collaborative effort between the International Finance Forum (IFF) and Deep Knowledge Group, analysed more than 55,000 AI companies worldwide to evaluate the density, financing, and development of AI enterprises globally.
Highlighting its growing prominence in AI enterprise density, the UAE stands alongside innovation hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
AI companies in the UAE
The top ten countries with the highest density of AI businesses are:
- Singapore with 162.8 enterprises per million of population
- Israel with 135.2 enterprises per million of population
- Switzerland with 73.6 enterprises per million of population
- US with 61.2 enterprises per million of population
- Canada with 58.3 enterprises per million of population
- UK with 56.5 enterprises per million of population
- Ireland with 50.8 enterprises per million of population
- Finland with 50 enterprises per million of population
- UAE with 49.5 enterprises per million of population
- Hong Kong, China with 47.1m enterprises per million of population
This milestone reflects the UAE’s strategic vision to become a global leader in AI, driven by progressive policies, robust infrastructure, and targeted investments.
Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner of Deep Knowledge Group said: “The UAE’s ranking among the top 10 countries for AI companies per capita demonstrates how targeted investments are creating an ecosystem where AI innovation thrives. This is a blueprint for how nations can transform strategic vision into measurable impact.”
The UAE has consistently demonstrated its commitment to AI at the highest levels. In 2017, the UAE became the first nation to appoint an AI Minister, a groundbreaking move to embed AI at the core of its national strategy.
The government’s AI Strategy 2031 aims to contribute AED335bn ($91bn) to GDP by 2031 and reduce operational costs by 50 per cent through AI innovation.
The UAE has also established the AED10bn ($2.7bn) Dubai Future Accelerator Fund to support AI innovation projects. Complementing this is the nation’s business-friendly environment and zero personal income tax.
To support its AI ambitions, the UAE is rapidly building a talent pipeline. Key initiatives include the Golden Visa program, offering 10-year residency to AI professionals, and the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first dedicated AI research university.
Partnerships with top global universities have further enhanced the UAE’s AI research capabilities, supported by high-value scholarships and advanced research funding. As a result, the UAE boasts an annual AI talent growth rate of 30 per cent.
The UAE’s world-class digital infrastructure underpins its leadership in AI innovation. With over 90 per cent 5G network coverage, 97.1 per cent internet penetration, and the largest data centre cluster in the Middle East, the nation provides an unparalleled environment for AI companies to thrive.
Its well-developed smart city infrastructure offers the perfect testing ground for cutting-edge AI applications.
AI success story: G42
Abu Dhabi-based G42 is a shining example of the UAE’s AI prowess. Specialising in healthcare, finance, and smart city solutions, G42 has become a global leader in AI innovation.
In 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5bn into the company, forming a partnership to establish AI research institutes in Abu Dhabi to develop “responsible” AI.
G42 also introduced Jais, an open-source Arabic AI language model with 30 billion parameters. Trained on extensive Arabic data and English computer code, Jais highlights G42’s contributions to advancing AI in the region.
Currently valued at more than $10bn, G42 embodies the UAE’s vision of becoming a global AI hub.
Follow us on
