#Technology

Dubai and Abu Dhabi named among top global data centre providers_Getty Images Image for illustrative purposes

Abu Dhabi, Dubai among top emerging data centre markets in 2025, reveals report

The UAE currently hosts over 250MW of live data centre capacity, with an additional 500MW in active development, the report said

Google contributed Dhs21.8bn to the UAE economy in 2024, according to a new report by UK-based research consultancy, Public First. The findings reflect the growing role of Google’s products — powered by artificial intelligence — in supporting digital transformation, business growth, and individual productivity across the country. The Google Economic Impact Report, launched today, outlines the contribution of tools such as Google Search, Ads, Play, Maps, YouTube, and the Gemini AI assistant to people, businesses, and communities in the UAE. According to the report, Google’s Search and Ads products alone were responsible for Dhs20.2bn in economic activity in 2024, helping thousands of local businesses reach customers and grow their operations. “We're incredibly proud to be a partner in the UAE’s boundless ambitions,” said Anthony Nakache, MD for Google in the Middle East and North Africa. “The report reflects our investment in accelerating the country’s ambitious journey towards a diversified, AI-powered economy. Through strategic investments, local partnerships, and our AI-powered tools, we're bringing substantial economic value and empowering individuals, businesses, and communities in the UAE.” Training and skills development The report notes that more than 430,000 people in the UAE have received training in digital and AI skills since 2018 through Google’s Maharat Min Google initiative. These efforts support the UAE’s broader vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy. The Android and Google Play ecosystem also contributed significantly to the UAE’s digital economy in 2024, supporting around 30,000 jobs and generating Dhs455m in revenue for local developers. Impact on daily life and consumer productivity Public First estimates that Google services deliver an average monthly consumer benefit of Dhs683 per user. In the UAE, 63 per cent of adults said they had used Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and 90 per cent of those users agreed it improved their productivity. Additionally, 71 per cent said Gemini was easier to use in Arabic than other AI chatbots. Other widely adopted tools include Google Maps and Waze, with 89 per cent of adults saying they found them useful for navigation. Meanwhile, 90 per cent of users noted that mobile payment platforms such as GPay and GWallet improved everyday convenience. Half of all adults surveyed said that Google Search was essential to their daily routines. Business productivity and AI adoption AI usage among UAE businesses is on the rise, with 91 per cent of companies reporting that they use at least one AI tool in their workflows. Nearly all public sector respondents (97 per cent) agreed that Google’s AI-powered tools helped them be more productive. Consumer behaviour also reflected strong digital engagement: 94 per cent use Google Search monthly to compare prices 86 per cent consult Google reviews before visiting businesses 80 per cent use Google Maps or Waze to locate local venues 73 per cent of 18–24-year-olds browse or shop online via Search weekly Creative and developer ecosystem The UAE's creative economy is also benefitting from Google's platforms. More than 600 UAE-based YouTube channels now have over one million subscribers — a 15 per cent increase year-on-year. In addition, more than 20,000 journalists and journalism students across the MENA region, including the UAE, have been trained by the Google News Initiative. Methodology The report is based on surveys conducted in March 2025 with 1,110 UAE-based online adults and 389 business leaders, carried out in English and Arabic. Results were weighted to ensure national representation. Google contributed Dhs21.8bn to the UAE economy in 2024, according to a new report by UK-based research consultancy, Public First. The findings reflect the growing role of Google’s products — powered by artificial intelligence — in supporting digital transformation, business growth, and individual productivity across the country. The Google Economic Impact Report, launched today, outlines the contribution of tools such as Google Search, Ads, Play, Maps, YouTube, and the Gemini AI assistant to people, businesses, and communities in the UAE. According to the report, Google’s Search and Ads products alone were responsible for Dhs20.2bn in economic activity in 2024, helping thousands of local businesses reach customers and grow their operations. “We're incredibly proud to be a partner in the UAE’s boundless ambitions,” said Anthony Nakache, MD for Google in the Middle East and North Africa. “The report reflects our investment in accelerating the country’s ambitious journey towards a diversified, AI-powered economy. Through strategic investments, local partnerships, and our AI-powered tools, we're bringing substantial economic value and empowering individuals, businesses, and communities in the UAE.” Training and skills development The report notes that more than 430,000 people in the UAE have received training in digital and AI skills since 2018 through Google’s Maharat Min Google initiative. These efforts support the UAE’s broader vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy. The Android and Google Play ecosystem also contributed significantly to the UAE’s digital economy in 2024, supporting around 30,000 jobs and generating Dhs455m in revenue for local developers. Impact on daily life and consumer productivity Public First estimates that Google services deliver an average monthly consumer benefit of Dhs683 per user. In the UAE, 63 per cent of adults said they had used Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and 90 per cent of those users agreed it improved their productivity. Additionally, 71 per cent said Gemini was easier to use in Arabic than other AI chatbots. Other widely adopted tools include Google Maps and Waze, with 89 per cent of adults saying they found them useful for navigation. Meanwhile, 90 per cent of users noted that mobile payment platforms such as GPay and GWallet improved everyday convenience. Half of all adults surveyed said that Google Search was essential to their daily routines. Business productivity and AI adoption AI usage among UAE businesses is on the rise, with 91 per cent of companies reporting that they use at least one AI tool in their workflows. Nearly all public sector respondents (97 per cent) agreed that Google’s AI-powered tools helped them be more productive. Consumer behaviour also reflected strong digital engagement: 94 per cent use Google Search monthly to compare prices 86 per cent consult Google reviews before visiting businesses 80 per cent use Google Maps or Waze to locate local venues 73 per cent of 18–24-year-olds browse or shop online via Search weekly Creative and developer ecosystem The UAE's creative economy is also benefitting from Google's platforms. More than 600 UAE-based YouTube channels now have over one million subscribers — a 15 per cent increase year-on-year. In addition, more than 20,000 journalists and journalism students across the MENA region, including the UAE, have been trained by the Google News Initiative. Methodology The report is based on surveys conducted in March 2025 with 1,110 UAE-based online adults and 389 business leaders, carried out in English and Arabic. Results were weighted to ensure national representation.    

How Google contributed Dhs21.8bn to UAE’s economy in 2024

Google said 30,000 jobs were created by the Google Play and Android app ecosystem in the UAE

Al Ain Farms Group, Finland’s FoodIQ to bring advanced food tech to region

Al Ain Farms Group, Finland’s FoodIQ to bring advanced food tech to region

AAFG will become the first company globally to industrially adopt FoodIQ’s patented multi-layer cooker (MLC) technology outside of Finland

EDGNEX by DAMAC to build $2.3bn AI data centre in Jakarta

EDGNEX by DAMAC to build $2.3bn AI data centre in Jakarta

To date, EDGNEX has committed over $3bn to digital infrastructure investments across Southeast Asia

Basatne MENA, Likewize launch smartphone subscription programme

Basatne MENA, Likewize launch smartphone subscription programme

Upgrade & Protect delivers a flexible, sustainable solution that reduces waste, maximises asset value, and transforms the device lifecycle for both consumers and operators

AWS' Tanuja Randery on supporting EMEA's digital transformation and AI ambition. Tanuja Randery )left) with Gulf Business Editor Neesha Salian (right)

AWS’ Tanuja Randery on supporting EMEA’s digital transformation and AI ambition

Randery delves into AWS’s regional footprint, its European Sovereign Cloud, and highlights key partnerships like the collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s AI champion, HUMAIN

Abbas Al-Hazeem makes the case The case for human-centered storytelling in the digital age

The case for human-centered storytelling in the digital age

We explore how brands and creators can embrace cutting-edge tools without losing the empathy, nuance, and connection that make stories truly memorable

5G-Advanced: e& UAE sets new world record for connectivity

By leveraging FR1 band aggregation and cutting-edge uplink technology, e& UAE has established a new global benchmark for 5G excellence

Insights: Why AI trader agents could be a valuable financial asset by Saad Naja

Insights: Why AI trader agents could be a valuable financial asset

By offering scalable, adaptive tools that cater to all levels of traders, AI trader agents aim to bridge the gap between access and expertise — empowering users to trade smarter, not harder

From Saudi to Hong Kong: Tahaluf, ewpartners take LEAP global with Asia debut

LEAP East will take place in Hong Kong from 8-10 July 2026, marking the first time the event is held outside Saudi Arabia

UAE-Kuwait sign MoUs Image WAM

UAE, Kuwait ink multiple agreements, includes Dhs9bn naval contract

The agreements span a wide range of areas, with key MoUs covering healthcare, infrastructure, investment, social development, energy transition, and AI

Zed ride-hailing platform: How is it redefining mobility in UAE

The heart of Zed’s differentiation lies in its belief that mobility should not be transactional—it should be personal

Stargate UAE: G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank, Cisco to build AI cluster

Stargate UAE: G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank, Cisco to build AI cluster

The first phase of the project — a 200-megawatt AI cluster — is expected to go live in 2026

Alain KADDOUM of Savoye on robots in logitics and other trends

Logistics: Robots aren’t replacing us; they are redefining what we do

The logistics and supply chain sector in particular has experienced a significant transformation, driven by changing consumer demands, technological advancement in AI and robotics

Bain Capital launches hscale to drive data centre expansion in EMEA region

Bain Capital launches hscale to drive data centre expansion in EMEA region

The company is positioning itself as a customer-first provider of scalable, replicable infrastructure tailored to the complex and evolving needs of hyperscale clients

HUAWEI WATCH 5 breaks ground with EXtap-enabled X-TAP health tech

HUAWEI WATCH 5 breaks new ground as the first to introduce X-TAP health technology

Huawei’s long-awaited WATCH 5 series combines futuristic design, advanced fingertip health monitoring, and extended battery life — all while debuting EXtap’s advanced integration for next-gen wearable wellness

Umrah 2025: New digital platform launched for visas

Hajj 2025: 5 ways in which Saudi is revolutionising pilgrimage with AI, tech

The country is leveraging the latest in digital innovation to improve the pilgrimage experience for millions of visitors each year

HUAWEI unveils new wearable lineup in Berlin, blends fashion and function

HUAWEI unveils new wearable lineup in Berlin, blends fashion and function

Available in two new colours – Purple and Sand Gold – the WATCH 5 will be available for pre-order in the UAE on May 22

qualcomm to launch engineering centre in Abu Dhabi -Getty Images

Qualcomm to establish global AI and IoT engineering centre in Abu Dhabi

The new Qualcomm Engineering Center will become a key part of the company’s global network of engineering hubs

Trump: UAE on a path to acquire most advanced US AI chips

It reflects the Trump administration’s confidence that the chips can be managed securely, in part by requiring data centres be managed by US companies.

UAE-US AI campus launches in Abu Dhabi IMage courtesy_WAM

UAE-US ties: Phase 1 of new 5GW AI campus launches in Abu Dhabi

The UAE and US will work together to regulate access to the compute resources, which are reserved for US hyperscalers and approved cloud service providers

AWS and HUMAIN to launch AI zone Getty Images

AWS, HUMAIN to launch $5bn AI Zone in Saudi Arabia

The two entities also plan to develop large language models (LLMs), including Arabic-focused models, to support AI adoption in key sectors

HUMAIN, NVIDIA join forces to drive AI development in Saudi Arabia

HUMAIN, NVIDIA join forces to drive AI development in Saudi Arabia

The partnership is set to play a critical role in realising the kingdom’s ambition to lead the world in AI and advanced digital infrastructure

Oracle pledges $14bn investment in Saudi Arabia

Trump’s Saudi visit: Oracle pledges $14bn investment in Saudi Arabia

Oracle said the expanded partnership would also strengthen US-Saudi ties, enhance the kingdom’s security and intelligence capabilities

Talabat profit soars nearly 4x as groceries drive growth

The strong Q1 performance underscores rising consumer demand for digital convenience and the platform’s ability to diversify beyond restaurant orders

Insights: Protecting your privacy in the age of GenAI

Insights: Protecting your privacy in the age of GenAI

When choosing an AI platform, prioritise reputable services and disable “model learning” to limit data collection, ensuring your digital footprint remains as discreet as possible

Oman rises 5 places in Government AI Readiness Index 2024

Oman rises 5 places in Government AI Readiness Index 2024

Oman is developing a national language model —“Oman GPT”— to enhance public sector productivity, and an innovation hub, “Oman Studio”, to connect AI talent with industry needs

‘Authenticity still matters’: CARMA’s Mazen Nahawi on AI, trust and media’s next frontier

In this interview, Nahawi explains why cultural nuance still trips up AI in the Middle East, which jobs will go — and which will rise — and why Gen Z’s demand for authenticity is shaping the future of PR

uber weride to roll out autonomous vehicles to 15 more cities Image Uber tech

WeRide, Uber to roll out autonomous vehicles in 15 more cities

Under the partnership, WeRide will provide its Robotaxi technology, while Uber will manage fleet operations

GISEC GLOBAL 2025 what key players are showcasing Image courtesy GISEC GLOBAL

GISEC Global 2025: Here’s what these top tech firms are showcasing

Tech leaders share their key innovations and strategies for GISEC 2025, spotlighting AI, critical infrastructure protection, and unified threat defense