9 June 2025, Mon |
1:24 AM
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, highlighted the UAE’s strong commitment to technological transformation. This comes as part of a national strategy to position the country as a global hub for future-focused innovation.
During his visit to Google’s offices at the Dubai Innovation Hub, Sheikh Hamdan stressed the importance of partnerships with global technology leaders. He noted that the UAE continues to promote collaboration, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.
Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, and Anthony Nakache, Managing Director of Google in the Middle East and North Africa. Several Google executives were also present. They praised the UAE’s leadership in using advanced technologies and AI solutions to accelerate progress.
The visit reinforced the long-standing relationship between the UAE and Google. The partnership began in 2008 with the opening of Google’s Dubai office, the largest in the MENA region. This collaboration supports the country’s digital transformation efforts.
Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on Google’s AI developments. These include the Gemini personal assistant and the NotebookLM application, both powered by artificial intelligence. He also received a preview of the Google Economic Impact Report 2024. This is the first time Google has released such a report for the UAE. It outlines the impact of products like Search, YouTube, Maps, Cloud, and Ads on the national economy.
The report shows how Google’s services support users, businesses, and communities. It reflects the company’s role in creating economic value across the UAE.
Sheikh Hamdan also visited the Google Accessibility Discovery Center in Dubai. Opened in September 2024, it is the only center of its kind in the MENA region and one of just seven globally.
Moreover, Google executives shared the company’s training efforts in the UAE. Through its ‘Grow with Google’ program, the company has trained around 420,000 people in AI and digital tools. These efforts help individuals and businesses benefit from the latest technologies.
At the end of the visit, Sheikh Hamdan thanked Google for its contributions to the UAE and the region. He confirmed Dubai’s commitment to leveraging technology to drive sustainable development. He also underlined the city’s goal to become a global center for innovation.
Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; and Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The UAE sees AI and future technologies as key to long-term growth. This priority aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to generate AED 100 billion annually from digital transformation. The agenda positions Dubai as a global digital economy capital.
