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UAE Digital Technology Spending To Hit $20 Billion By 2026
The contribution of digital tech to the country’s GDP is likely to double within the next decade.
Digital technology spending in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — encompassing IT, telecoms, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and robotics — is expected to reach $20 billion over the next three years, according to a recent report by the Boston Consulting Group.
Digital tech is projected to account for 25-30% of global GDP over the next decade. According to BCG, the UAE is expected to double the contribution made by digital to its overall economic output, rising from 9.7% to 19.4% in the next 10 years.
Advances in robotics, automation, and a “historic explosion of data and intelligence” offer significant opportunities for wealth disruption and creation, but may present a steep learning curve for governments.
“The digital economy is not an elective. It marks a profound departure from how economies have historically been organized and regulated. Tackling this brave new world head-on will prove essential to remaining competitive and relevant on the global scene,” says Faisal Hamady, managing director and partner at BCG.
Also Read: ChatGPT Is Accelerating The AI Revolution In The Middle East
Dubai, which seeks to bolster its position as a global digital capital, recently launched the ambitious and far-reaching Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) plan.
The increase in digital technology spending aims to reinvent the Emirate as one of the world’s strongest city economies over the next decade, via a bold program that will support 30 private companies to achieve $1 billion unicorn status.
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NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency
The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.
Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl
— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024
The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.
Also Read: Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network
During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.
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