Global Powers UAE and Saudi Arabia Take the Lead in Sovereign Artificial Intelligence Implementation on a Global Scale
A new research report, titled 'Sovereignty Matters: A Global Blueprint for Sovereign, Agentic and Generative AI', has revealed some fascinating insights about the global shift towards AI and data sovereignty. The study, conducted by EnterpriseDB (EDB), is based on interviews with 2,050 enterprises worldwide.
The report highlights that a select group of enterprises, known as the 'Deeply Committed', are leading this global shift. These enterprises prioritise sovereignty over their AI and data, achieving up to 5 times greater return on investment (ROI) from AI compared to their peers. Notably, only 13% of enterprises worldwide fall into this category, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia having the highest proportion at 17%.
The 'Deeply Committed' enterprises are not only deploying more mainstream AI applications (2 times more than their peers), but they are also 2.5 times more confident in their ability to lead their industries. This confidence is well-founded, as these enterprises are achieving 5 times higher ROI from their AI investments.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of this trend. These countries are demonstrating the benefits of prioritising sovereignty over AI and data to the rest of the world. Their leadership in this area is closely aligned with national priorities such as the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
EDB partners with organisations in the Middle East to help them build sovereign AI platforms that are secure, compliant, and future-ready. By adopting sovereign AI approaches, enterprises in the region are not just ensuring compliance and security but also positioning themselves as global leaders in innovation, efficiency, and trust.
However, the report warns that the remaining 87% of enterprises risk falling behind due to siloed data, fragmented infrastructure, and underutilized AI. This is where the 'Deeply Committed' enterprises stand out - they are not just experimenting with AI, but are scaling it, securing it, and reaping transformational returns.
Kevin Dallas, CEO of EDB, attributes the leadership in AI and data sovereignty in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to government initiatives like the UAE National AI Strategy 2031, which view sovereignty as a foundation for growth. The region's success serves as a beacon for other countries looking to capitalise on the potential of AI and data sovereignty.
While specific company names from the UAE and Saudi Arabia that have identified as 'Deeply Committed' enterprises with their own AI and data platforms achieving up to 5 times higher ROI are not explicitly mentioned in the report, it is known that both countries are actively investing in advanced digital transformation under initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s open innovation ambitions, encouraging local and international brands to enhance their technological platforms.
In conclusion, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are setting the pace in the global race towards AI and data sovereignty. Their commitment to this area is not only ensuring compliance and security but also positioning them as global leaders in innovation, efficiency, and trust. As more enterprises embrace this approach, we can expect to see even more transformational returns in the future.
