Google injects $6 billion into UAE’s economy with AI push

The UAE’s expanding ties with Silicon Valley are paying dividends for the economy amid new joint investments in artificial intelligence.

Among the major contributors to the Gulf state’s economic growth last year was Google, whose products contributed $6 billion to GDP, according to a report released today by Public First, a London-based consulting firm.

The search company’s tools, particularly in advertising, mapping and through its YouTube and Gemini AI units, fueled growth in business and individual productivity, said the economic impact report, which was commissioned by Google.

“The report reflects our investment in accelerating the country’s ambitious journey towards a diversified, AI-powered economy,” Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in the report’s introduction.

In the UAE, 63% of adults surveyed said they had used Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and 90% of those users said it improved their productivity. More than two-thirds said Gemini was easier to use in Arabic than other AI chatbots.

The UAE plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to establish itself as a world leader in AI infrastructure, establishing partnerships through its G42 tech firm and MGX investment fund with firms including Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAi and Oracle.