Gold rose on Tuesday on weak dollar and treasury yields, as investors awaited inflation data to assess the Federal Reserve’s policy path amid simmering trade tensions and fears of economic slowdown.

Spot gold rose 0.3 per cent to $2,898.27 an ounce as of 0501 GMT, while US gold futures firmed 0.1 to $2,902.50.

The dollar index hovered near a four-month low hit last week, making bullion less expensive for overseas buyers, while benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields fell.

Read-Gold hovers near record peak: What’s behind the rise?

“US dollar and Treasury yields are lower, which is helping gold catch a bit of support… The overall uptrend remains intact and the path of least resistance favours the upside,” said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

“Prices have been stable in a range between about 2,830 and 2,960 for the past four weeks… We would need to see a convincing break above or below these boundaries to conclude that some sort of lasting directional move is resuming.”

US President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview on Sunday, declined to predict whether his tariffs would result in a US recession, sending global stocks down.

Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada last Tuesday, along with fresh duties on Chinese goods, but later exempted many Mexican and Canadian imports from those tariffs for a month, creating uncertainty in the markets and fanning worries of US inflation and growth slowdown.

Investors now await US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due on Wednesday to analyse the Fed’s interest rate stance.

Gold is considered a hedge against political risks and inflation, but if rising prices force the Fed to keep rates higher, the non-yielding asset could lose it allure.

The UAE Cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, convened at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, approving a series of strategic initiatives, including the National Investment Strategy 2031, social support policies, and key international agreements.

The meeting was attended by senior UAE leaders, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence for the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed announced that the UAE aims to double its annual foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from Dhs112bn in 2023 to Dhs240bn by 2031, increasing total foreign investment stock from Dhs800bn to Dhs2.2tn.

National Investment Strategy to focus on key sectors

The strategy will focus on key sectors such as industry, logistics, financial services, renewable energy, and information technology.

“The UAE continues to develop its economy, expand global markets, attract investments, and create the most business-friendly environment in the world,” Sheikh Mohammed said, as quoted by state news agency WAM.

The strategy includes 12 new programmes and 30 initiatives, including the Financial Sector Development Programme, One-Market Programme, Institutional Innovation Attraction Programme, and the ‘InvestUAE’ initiative.

The goal is to raise FDI’s share of total investments to over 30 per cent and its contribution to GDP to 8 per cent.

Strengthening international partnerships

The cabinet reviewed the UAE’s strategic partnerships with African nations, with Sheikh Mohammed highlighting that 95 per cent of approved initiatives have been successfully implemented. The UAE’s total trade volume with Sub-Saharan Africa has grown from Dhs126.7bn in 2019 to Dhs235bn over five years — an 87 per cent increase.

“The UAE will continue to build new economic bridges across the world and reinforce its role as a global trade hub,” he added.

The cabinet also approved 28 international agreements, including comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPAs) with Malaysia, New Zealand, and Kenya.

Advancing the digital economy and sustainability

Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to its National Digital Economy Strategy, aiming to increase the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 9.7 to 19.4 per cent over the next six years.

The cabinet also approved the launch of the National Green Certificates Programme for buildings, a voluntary classification system assessing sustainability standards in commercial, industrial, and residential developments.

Healthcare and social development initiatives

In healthcare, the cabinet endorsed a National Policy for Combating Health Risks, aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness, response scenarios, and recovery plans. The Executive Regulations for Organ and Human Tissue Donation and Transplantation were also approved, ensuring better access to life-saving treatments.

The UAE now has 13 licensed transplant centres, with a 30 per cent increase in transplant procedures covering kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplants.

On the social front, the cabinet approved reforms to the national social support system, increasing the budget by 29 per cent to Dhs3.5bn and expanding the number of beneficiaries by 37 per cent.

Additionally, 3,200 individuals have transitioned from financial aid recipients to active workforce contributors.

The cabinet also approved regulations governing social support disbursement for unemployed individuals, as well as an Inflation Allowance for eligible categories, including beneficiaries of social assistance programs.

Research, development, and workforce initiatives

The cabinet approved the restructuring of the Emirates Research and Development Council, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, to set national research priorities, develop policies, and enhance collaboration between the government, private sector and academia.

Additionally, the UAE approved a Remote Work System from Outside the Country for federal government employees, enabling the recruitment of global talent for specialised projects and studies.

Legislative developments

The cabinet issued multiple executive regulations, including the Federal Law on the Protection of New Plant Varieties, laws governing healthcare professions, mental health, and commercial fraud.

A Pharmaceutical Policies Committee was also established, chaired by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, to oversee the sector’s regulatory framework.

Sheikh Mohammed concluded the meeting by reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to economic growth, innovation, and social development. “The teams continue their work, our growth trajectory accelerates, and every day, we witness our nation’s future becoming greater, stronger, and more prosperous.”

AIQ, a subsidiary of Presight, has secured a $340m contract from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to deploy its ENERGYai platform and associated AI solutions across ADNOC’s upstream operations, marking one of the largest applications of agentic AI in the energy sector.

The three-year contract follows the successful completion of a proof-of-concept phase and will see AIQ roll out ENERGYai to optimise ADNOC’s upstream processes.

The platform integrates large language models (LLM) with advanced agentic AI, enabling workflow automation across the company’s upstream value chain, from seismic analysis to real-time process monitoring.

Advancing ADNOC’s AI strategy

Musabbeh Al Kaabi, ADNOC’s Upstream CEO, said the initiative aligns with the company’s ambition to become the world’s most AI-enabled energy firm. “We look forward to working with AIQ to scale ENERGYai across our upstream business, consolidating our position as a responsible and reliable supplier of energy to global markets,” he said in a statement.

ENERGYai allows engineers to interact with ADNOC’s proprietary data using LLMs, enhancing efficiency and providing new insights.

By accelerating processes and reducing operational costs, the AI-driven system is expected to contribute to ADNOC’s broader digital transformation and sustainability goals.

A milestone for AIQ

Magzhan Kenesbai, acting MD of AIQ, described the contract as a “defining moment” for the company. “In partnership with ADNOC, we have developed a world-first agentic AI solution that is scalable across the energy value chain and has the potential to transform the industry. This deployment will unlock unparalleled efficiencies and support ADNOC’s sustainability ambitions,” he said.

Developed with input from ADNOC experts and in collaboration with G42 and Microsoft, ENERGYai leverages Azure cloud infrastructure, the Open Subsurface Data Universe (OSDU) framework, and OpenAI models.

Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, AIQ’s major shareholder, highlighted the project’s significance in advancing AI integration. “Agentic AI is widely recognised as the future of AI development. Through Presight’s collaboration with AIQ and ADNOC, we are shaping the future of energy with applied intelligence,” he said.

The first operational version of ENERGYai is expected by mid-2025, initially covering five AI agents for subsurface operations.

It will be test-deployed across several ADNOC upstream assets before expanding to more than 28 producing fields, including some of the world’s largest and lowest-carbon oilfields.

Read: How agentic AI will boost the digital economy across the Middle East

Metal Park has launched the first phase of its Dhs110m ($30m) Storage Hub in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), introducing the world’s first pay-as-you-go storage facility for the metal industry.

The hub, located in KEZAD Free Zone, will be developed in three phases and offer a combined storage capacity of 350,000 metric tonnes and 54,000 cubic meters of shelved storage exclusively for metals.

The facility is its first independent metal storage warehouse, aimed at providing businesses with advanced logistics solutions.

Phase one spans approximately 93,000 square metres and includes 26 overhead cranes with capacities of up to 40 metric tonnes, 55 loading bays for trucks and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the ability to load and offload 48,000 metric tonnes daily.

Additional features include vertical storage, a cantilever truck loading system, and three weighbridges, with two measuring 15 metres and one at 30 metres, each with a weighing capacity of 150 metric tonnes.

The facility is designed as a gated community with 24/7 surveillance.

The strategic location of the Storage Hub provides direct access to Khalifa Port via a modular road and connectivity to the Etihad Rail network and major highways linking Abu Dhabi to the Northern Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Major milestone for KEZAD and Metal Park

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones at AD Ports Group, said the launch marks a major milestone for Metal Park and KEZAD’s growing industrial ecosystem.

“We are committed to the growth of ecosystems driven by innovation, acting as catalysts for industrial expansion in KEZAD and contributing to Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification,” Al Hameli said.

Saleh Shahrestani, chairman of Metal Park, emphasised the hub’s potential to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for the metal industry.

“As the region’s first metal fulfillment centre, it will help traders and stockists manage costs in a volatile market while allowing manufacturers to optimise production space and expand distribution networks,” Shahrestani said.

KEZAD Group, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, is the largest operator of integrated economic zones in the UAE. It spans 12 economic zones across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, covering 550 square kilometres and housing more than 2,100 investors across 17 key industrial sectors.

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes the global economy, ensuring that women are not only participants but leaders in this transformation is both an economic necessity and a strategic imperative.

Accelerate Action, the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, reflects calls for urgent and decisive steps toward gender equality across all sectors. Nowhere is this more critical than in the fast-evolving domain of generative AI (GenAI), which is reshaping industries through automation, enhanced decision-making, and new creative possibilities.

In 2024, the UAE saw an increase of over 900 per cent in GenAI enrollments, reflecting a significant surge in demand for AI skills.

This growth aligns with that of the UAE’s GenAI market, which is projected to expand between 2025 and 2030 at an annual rate of 41.5 per cent, reaching a market volume of over $2bn by 2030. The UAE’s rapid AI expansion is also reflected in its ranking among the 10 countries with the highest number of AI companies per capita, highlighting the nation’s growing leadership in the sector.

As the UAE strengthens its position as an AI leader, ensuring equitable access to AI education and career opportunities is critical — especially for women, who must not only adapt to change but drive it.

GenAI and women

While the transformative potential of GenAI is undeniable, its rapid adoption also raises concerns about workforce displacement, particularly among women.

A study by IBM found that 46 per cent of women worry about being replaced by AI, compared to 37 per cent of men. Without targeted efforts to bridge this divide, women risk being disproportionately affected by AI-driven automation rather than positioned to lead and benefit from its advancements.

This disparity is compounded by gaps in GenAI upskilling. Despite the UAE’s strong commitment to STEM education — where women account for 56 per cent of STEM graduates at government universities — female participation in GenAI remains significantly lower. Women currently represent 32 per cent of global GenAI enrollments on Coursera, and in the UAE, that number is even lower at 23.8 per cent.

While the country has taken positive steps toward equitable representation in STEM, the GenAI gender gap remains a pronounced challenge.

This underrepresentation is not due to a lack of interest or ability but systemic barriers that hinder women’s participation. Gender stereotypes, limited mentorship opportunities, and a lack of awareness about GenAI’s relevance to their lives all contribute to this disparity.

Only 36 per cent of women believe GenAI can advance their careers, compared to 45 per cent of men, according to Cognizant. Without targeted interventions, these gaps will persist, limiting not only women’s opportunities but also AI’s potential to serve society equitably.

The UAE’s National Strategy for AI 2031 emphasises the importance of women taking an active role in shaping AI’s future, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. However, with AI expected to contribute $96bn to the UAE’s GDP by 2030, increasing female participation in GenAI is not just about equity — it’s a key driver for stronger economic growth. By stepping into leadership roles, women can help shape AI’s future in ways that drive both innovation and inclusivity.

Overcoming barriers, closing the gender gap

One of the primary barriers to women’s participation in GenAI is the persistence of stereotypes that shape perceptions of who belongs in technology fields.

Cultural messaging from an early age often discourages girls from pursuing STEM subjects, leading to lower representation in higher education and careers. Encouraging early engagement through AI-focused curricula in schools can help dismantle these biases and foster greater female inclusion in technology.

With online learning, we already see that despite lower enrollment rates, women are developing skills at a faster pace than their male counterparts. This offers hope that expanded access to online learning can help bridge skills gaps and accelerate women’s advancement in the workplace.

Confidence gaps also pose a significant challenge. Women often hesitate to engage with GenAI due to gaps in their self-efficacy, and belief in their ability to be successful, even when they possess the necessary skills. Structured entry points, mentorship programmes, and visible female AI leaders can help bridge this confidence gap. When women see role models who have succeeded in AI or are the instructors of these new topics, they are more likely to persist and thrive in the field.

Another critical issue is the lack of flexible learning models and clear career pathways for women in GenAI. Many women face time constraints as they balance caregiving responsibilities with work, making it difficult to pursue lengthy upskilling opportunities. Online learning has proven to be a powerful tool in bridging this gap, offering women accessible, affordable, and fast-tracked opportunities to acquire in-demand skills.

Expanding access to such learning models is essential to increasing women’s participation in AI and other high-growth, technology-driven fields.

Moreover, demonstrating GenAI’s real-world applications can encourage more women to engage with these new skills.

Women are more likely to upskill in AI when they see its impact on key industries like healthcare, education, and creative industries — where they are already highly involved—or even everyday tasks like meal planning and parenting. Integrating practical applications into learning materials can boost female participation and retention in GenAI courses.

Finally, ensuring that women actively shape AI development is essential to prevent biases in the creation and deployment of AI systems. Increasing female representation in AI design, data science, and decision-making roles is crucial for developing more equitable and inclusive AI-driven solutions.

Gender equality in AI should not be a secondary goal — it should be foregrounded as a central part of the UAE’s AI and economic growth strategies. The UAE’s rapid surge in GenAI enrollments demonstrates a strong appetite for AI skills, but true progress requires that women be equal stakeholders in this digital revolution.

Driving real change requires concrete commitments from educators, employers, and policymakers — integrating AI into school curricula, fostering mentorship, and designing flexible upskilling pathways that empower women at every stage of their careers. By challenging stereotypes, promoting female role models, building confidence through targeted support, and demonstrating the relevance of GenAI to women’s careers, we can create a more inclusive and equitable AI landscape.

Empowering women in GenAI is not just about closing a gap — it’s about unlocking the full potential of AI to drive innovation, inclusivity, and economic growth for all.

The writer is the learning research lead at Coursera.