What AI Appreciation Day Should Really Remind Us

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As we mark AI Appreciation Day, it's not just about celebrating innovation, it's about remembering that AI must be human-led, ethically grounded, and built with purpose.
In 2025, Artificial Intelligence is powering daily life, reshaping industries, and challenging global norms. From healthcare to energy, cities to classrooms, AI in 2025 is not just a tool. It is an ecosystem.
The Middle East is leading this shift.
Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are making bold moves. Their investments in AI infrastructure and ethical governance are reshaping how nations approach AI at scale.
Let's look at what's really happening beneath the surface of AI in 2025.
Data Is the New Backbone
AI needs fuel. That fuel is data. And to manage that data, nations need infrastructure that is scalable, secure, and sovereign.
Mohit Pandey, Head of Sales for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Seagate Technology, explains the scale of growth: 'In 2025, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of digital infrastructure, with Saudi Arabia's data center market growing at a 21.87% CAGR and the UAE hosting advanced facilities. This growth drives a GCC-wide boom, projected to reach $9.49 billion by 2030. In this landscape, infrastructure reliability and scalability are essential to provide the resilience, scalability, and energy efficiency needed to support AI factories in Riyadh and sovereign cloud platforms in Abu Dhabi. As governments push for data sovereignty and AI leadership, Seagate is ready to partner in building the future's regional premium infrastructure.'
These data centers are more than just buildings. They are AI factories that train models, store vast datasets, and serve as the digital backbone of national transformation.
The demand for energy-efficient, high-speed storage is rising. And with AI workloads growing, the region is building a premium infrastructure to support it.
Ethics Is Not Optional
AI brings great power. But it also raises questions. How do we keep it fair? Who decides what is right?
AI in 2025 is not just about what technology can do. It is also about how it is used and who governs it.
Dr. Shabbir Nalwala, Executive Advisor for Group Digital Governance and Transformation at ADNOC Group, puts it clearly: 'AI presents a powerful tool for enhancing digital governance in the oil and gas sector. AI's success depends not solely on the technology used but also critically on how responsibly AI is governed. In UAE, ethical AI is not only a regulatory checkbox but a national priority. Oil and gas companies that adopt this vision will not only improve their digital operations but also contribute meaningfully to the UAE's vision as a global leader in ethical and impactful AI.'
Ethical AI is now a core part of national strategies. In the UAE, it guides how AI is designed, deployed, and monitored.
Sectors like oil and gas are using AI to boost efficiency. But they are also leading the charge in AI governance. Responsible use is becoming a competitive advantage.
AI as a Reflection of Us
Technology reflects the intentions of its creators. AI in 2025 is no different.
It amplifies human strengths. But it also exposes human flaws.
Tolga Ozdil, Regional Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS, shares a deeper view: 'AI has become a mirror to humanity, reflecting our values, intentions, and vulnerabilities while showing the scale of our technological progress. While AI started as an experiment, it has now found its way into our daily lives, changing the way we learn, work, and create. Even with that growth, AI's path is not defined since its evolution will still be dictated by human decisions, responsibility, and oversight. We should not just recognize AI with the amazing things that it can do but also remind ourselves that how we build and use AI also matters.'
This reminder is important. AI is not just a celebration of innovation. It is a call for accountability.
We are shaping AI. And in return, it is shaping us.
A National Priority
In 2025, AI is a matter of sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia is building AI factories in Riyadh. The UAE is expanding sovereign cloud platforms in Abu Dhabi. These aren't just tech projects. They are strategic tools for economic independence.
According to analysts, the GCC's data center market will reach $9.49 billion by 2030. That growth is directly tied to AI demand.
With each AI application, health diagnostics, smart cities, energy forecasting, comes a deeper need for fast, secure data handling.
The focus is clear. Nations are working to own their data, control their compute power, and reduce reliance on foreign cloud services.
Challenges on the Path Ahead
While the momentum is strong, challenges persist.
AI still struggles with: Bias in algorithms
Lack of explainability
Energy consumption
Talent shortages
Uneven access to tools and data
The rise of generative AI has made some of these issues more visible. Misinformation, deepfakes, and intellectual property concerns are shaping new debates.
In this context, AI in 2025 is a balancing act between innovation and oversight, scale and sensitivity, ambition and caution.
A Day to Reflect, Not Just Celebrate
AI Appreciation Day is not just about what we've built. It is also about how we build from here.
AI in 2025 is no longer an experiment. It is a daily influence, visible in homes, hospitals, classrooms, and control rooms.
The real power of AI lies not only in algorithms or infrastructure. It lies in intent. And the Middle East, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is proving that with the right vision and values, AI can be both powerful and principled.
As we reflect today, the message is clear.
AI can amplify progress. But it must be human-led, ethically grounded, and purpose-driven.