The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on track to become a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, with its AI market projected to soar to Dh170 billion ($46.33 billion) by 2030, according to a comprehensive study by Grand View Research (GVR). This growth is part of a broader regional boom, with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) AI market expected to expand nearly fifteen-fold from $11.92 billion (Dh43.7 billion) in 2023 to $166.33 billion (Dh610 billion) by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 44.8%. The UAE’s strategic investments and policies, including its Strategic Plan 2031, are driving this transformation, positioning the country as a pioneer in AI adoption and development. Nearly 75% of UAE companies have maintained or increased their AI investments in the past year, with machine learning and deep learning technologies leading the charge in sectors like healthcare, logistics, and financial services. The AI healthcare market in the MENA region, valued at $193.1 million (Dh709 million) in 2023, is projected to reach $1.47 billion (Dh5.39 billion) by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.6%. Similarly, the legal AI sector, currently at $43.3 million (Dh159 million), is expected to nearly triple to $121.5 million (Dh446 million) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18%. The UAE’s leadership in AI integration is further bolstered by government-led digital transformation agendas, rapid urbanisation, and the deployment of AI-enabling technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). As Swayam Dash, Managing Director at GVR, noted, the UAE is not just adopting global AI technologies but shaping its own playbook, setting benchmarks for governance and growth in the digital age.