Transformation Moment for MENA in AI: Capitalizing on the Chance to Direct Change
Harrison Lung serves as the Group Chief Strategy Officer for e&, where he focuses on strategy, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, transformations, and sustainability. The global and regional landscape is buzzing with excitement as several elements have aligned, setting the stage for an AI-driven future. Countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are gaining from long-standing national AI strategies, and cloud infrastructure is experiencing rapid expansion due to significant investments from tech giants like Google and AWS.
government initiatives
Government initiatives are amplifying the frenzy, with examples like the recently launched "Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027," which involves a 13 billion AED investment in AI-powered governance and innovation. Other noteworthy initiatives include Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's plan to train one million individuals in AI through a collaboration with Microsoft and Saudi Arabia's "Project Transcendence," a $100 billion investment aimed at establishing itself as a leading player in AI.
These bold initiatives spur inspiration, presenting great potential for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. For e&, "Digitalize and Transform Operations" is a critical strategic pillar. As Group Chief Strategy Officer, Harrison Lung has witnessed firsthand how these advancements can generate a substantial leap in efficiency. Acknowledging the importance of ethical innovation and accountability, e& appointed its first Group Chief AI and Data Officer to oversee the organization's AI-driven transformation.
Balancing ambition with reality
Successful AI adoption relies on striking a balance between ambition and practical considerations. This delicate harmony is further emphasized by e&'s recent study with IBM, which reveals a strong appetite for AI in the MENA region, with 65% of CEOs leading AI adoption projects. However, these CEOs have expressed concerns about the region's digital infrastructure, with confidence in its ability to deliver declining from 82% to 64%.
Addressing these gaps will be essential for realizing the full potential of AI. McKinsey anticipates that GenAI will generate between $15 to $25 billion in annual incremental economic value in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Achieving these expectations will require investing in robust data and infrastructure and addressing capability gaps. Establishing a strong data foundation is vital, ensuring reliable, high-quality data for AI systems to make informed decisions and drive actionable insights.
hybrid cloud solution
Hybrid cloud provides a flexible solution to meet the AI demands, optimizing resources and security while ensuring agility to meet workload requirements. By following these foundational steps, businesses can deliver AI solutions that generate impactful business results.
achieving ai success
AI success is not solely a matter of technology and capital. Human intelligence is crucial in this endeavor. Regardless, only 23% of MENA CEOs prioritize talent development, despite the urgent need to bridge the AI skills gap.
Responsible AI must be integrated throughout the AI journey, emphasizing ethics, inclusivity, and trustworthy partnerships. Advanced governance tools, such as automated risk management, compliance monitoring, and real-time performance analysis, play an essential role in ensuring accountability. These tools facilitate timely issue detection and enable organizations to uphold ethical standards throughout the AI lifecycle.
Public-Private Partnerships
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) also play an indispensable role in driving AI advancement. These collaborations combine key resources, expertise, and innovation, fostering critical infrastructure development, encouraging technological breakthroughs, and bolstering talent ecosystems.
the path forward
AI success depends on a strategic and disciplined approach. Begin by establishing a solid baseline, create personalized action plans, and prioritize projects with visible benefits measured by clear performance indicators. Gradually transition to implementation by securing essential resources and focusing on achieving tangible, measurable outcomes. Maintain a sharp focus on both short-term victories and agile strategic intentions.
Adopting a holistic, ecosystem-oriented approach that emphasizes internal alignment, integrated AI roadmaps, operational proficiency, and strategic PPPs is vital in harnessing the region's unique AI momentum and maximizing value.
Simply put, AI's success relies on more than just machines and capitalism. A human-centric approach, which incorporates ethics, inclusivity, and responsible governance, is necessary to navigate this AI-driven future successfully.
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With the Gulf region's AI landscape at an all-time high, initiatives like "Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027" and "Project Transcendence" are spearheaded by government and private entities alike. Harrison Lung, as Group Chief Strategy Officer of e&, foresees tremendous potential for efficiency gains through advanced technologies such as AI. However, successful AI implementation requires a delicate balance between ambition and practical considerations.
Hybrid cloud solutions can help meet the AI demands by optimizing resources and ensuring security while maintaining agility in managing workload requirements. Harrison Lung understands that AI success goes beyond technology and capital; it requires a human-centric approach that emphasizes ethics, inclusivity, and responsible governance. As a trusted and influential figure in the industry, he could potentially contribute valuable insights to discussions within the Our Website Technology Council, an exclusive community of top-tier CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives.
