The United Arab Emirates is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, fueled by strategic partnerships with major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and innovative companies such as Rezolve Ai. This transformation is exemplified by the development of Falcon, the UAE’s first homegrown large language model (LLM), which aims to compete with industry giants like OpenAI and Google.

According to The Pinnacle Gazette, Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, Chief Innovation Officer at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), noted that the UAE’s commitment to AI began as early as 2017 when it appointed a minister for AI and launched the first university dedicated to the technology. During an appearance on the AB Majlis podcast, Dr. Kasmi highlighted the significance of partnerships in this initiative, stating, “We made the strategic decision to establish our partnership with AWS at the very early days of the Falcon programme.” He acknowledged the substantial support from AWS experts in leveraging cloud infrastructure.

The Falcon model is now accessible on AWS SageMaker, enabling developers to create applications, including chat services similar to ChatGPT. A recent report from The Economist ranked the UAE among the top three countries globally for AI development, following only the United States and China. Dr. Kasmi credited this success to the UAE leadership’s vision, which has set a clear innovation agenda and aligned legal frameworks with infrastructure development and investments in innovation.

As the UAE continues to nurture its AI ecosystem, TII aims to bring Falcon to the application level through AI 71, a startup focused on integrating these models into practical products. Dr. Kasmi emphasized that for businesses in the region, adopting AI-enabled resources is vital for maintaining competitiveness. With government services in the UAE already heavily digitalized, there is a strong opportunity to incorporate AI solutions, supported by the appointment of chief AI officers across various ministries and government entities.

In addition to AI, the UAE is making advancements in quantum computing. TII is developing quantum sensors and the core components of quantum computers. Dr. Kasmi remarked that future systems will likely integrate quantum and traditional computing infrastructures, emphasizing, “If we really want to maintain our leadership in science and technology in the region, we have no choice when investing and supporting our quantum research laboratories.”

Rezolve Ai, a global leader in retail-focused AI solutions, has recently launched its platform in the UAE, aiming to empower retailers with comprehensive transformation capabilities. This launch is a significant milestone in Rezolve Ai’s expansion across the Middle East, as the company seeks to play a critical role in shaping the future of retail in the Gulf region.

Daniel Wagner, CEO of Rezolve Ai, described the UAE as “the intersection of technology and ambition.” He noted that retailers in the UAE are not just adopting digital tools but are actively redefining modern commerce. “This is the perfect time for us to bring Rezolve Ai’s capabilities to a country that shares our vision for intelligent, customer-first retail,” Wagner stated. The platform is designed to meet the evolving expectations of today’s digitally native consumers, providing insights into real-time customer behavior, demand forecasting, and seamless omnichannel integration.

AI spending across the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) is expected to reach USD 4.5 billion in 2024, with projections to climb to USD 14.6 billion by 2028, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). This remarkable growth reflects a 34% compound annual growth rate, underscoring the region’s strong commitment to digital transformation.

Rezolve Ai’s platform features its proprietary brainpowa LLM, which is designed to address common AI challenges such as hallucinations while improving accuracy in prediction and personalization. The company has also established strategic partnerships with technology leaders like Google and Microsoft to ensure swift deployment and measurable value for retailers.

With its scalable architecture and adaptable APIs, Rezolve Ai’s platform is equipped to serve both enterprise-level retailers and agile, digital-first brands. As consumers in the Middle East increasingly demand more intuitive, responsive, and personalized experiences, Rezolve Ai aims to assist retailers in delivering world-class solutions that connect physical and digital commerce.

As the UAE continues to lead the region in digital adoption, smart city innovation, and AI investment, Rezolve Ai is well-positioned to help retailers harness the full potential of intelligent retail, turning data into impactful, revenue-driving customer interactions. With the integration of advanced AI capabilities and a robust digital strategy, the UAE is poised to redefine the landscape of retail and technology in the coming years.

For those interested in the latest developments in AI and business in the Gulf region, the AB Majlis podcast is available every Monday, providing insights and discussions on navigating this dynamic market.