Race is on: Who will lead UAE's $100b ‘AI gold rush' by 2030?
But as the nation positions itself as a global AI powerhouse, a critical question emerges: Who will dominate this transformative landscape? Industry leaders point to Vertical SaaS (VSaaS) companies—specialised software providers with deep industry expertise—as frontrunners in the race to harness AI's trillion-dollar potential.
They argue that a fusion of AI with SaaS is set to redefine the business landscape, paving the way for unprecedented innovation and growth.
Established SaaS players, particularly those hyper-focused on niche sectors like automotive, healthcare, and finance, are leveraging decades of customer data, industry-specific knowledge, and existing client trust to build AI agents that don't just automate tasks — they think. 'AI agents are redefining the game. We're moving from software you use to software that acts,' says Tarek Kabrit, CEO of Seez, a Dubai-based AI innovator revolutionising car sales through autonomous decision-making tools.
These intelligent agents — capable of predicting market shifts, negotiating deals, and optimising workflows — are becoming indispensable. A recent Trends Research & Advisory report highlights that Vertical SaaS providers, already entrenched in industries with complex workflows, are uniquely positioned to train AI systems that solve real-world problems. 'Customers don't want faster software; they want platforms that act like an extension of their team,' Kabrit adds.
The UAE's AI strategy, backed by aggressive public-private partnerships, is igniting rapid growth. Recent moves read like a strategic chessboard: A $30 billion AI infrastructure alliance between BlackRock, Microsoft, and Abu Dhabi's MGX; Microsoft's $1.5 billion bet on homegrown AI champion G42; and a $1 billion talent war chest to cultivate local AI expertise.
'The UAE isn't just adopting AI — it's inventing the playbook,' says a Trends Research analyst. The public sector is leading the charge, with 47 per cent of GCC organisations already deploying AI (per Boston Consulting Group), outpacing global peers in digital readiness since launching nationwide AI transformations in 2021.
While Vertical SaaS incumbents hold the cards today, insurgent startups and global tech titans are disrupting the field. Microsoft's partnership with G42, for instance, aims to export UAE-built AI solutions worldwide. Meanwhile, new entrants are banking on generative AI's ability to democratize industry-specific tools.
Yet experts argue domain expertise remains king. 'Generic AI can't navigate the intricacies of, say, automotive supply chains or patient care protocols,' notes Kabrit. 'Vertical SaaS has spent years decoding these complexities—that's their moat.'
As AI reshapes industries, the UAE's fusion of ambition and infrastructure is setting the stage for a showdown. Will Vertical SaaS giants maintain their lead, or will agile newcomers rewrite the rules? One thing is certain: In the UAE's $100 billion AI odyssey, the winners will be those who turn data into decisions, users into collaborators, and software into a tireless ally.
'The future belongs to platforms that don't just assist — they anticipate,' Kabrit concludes. As the race heats up, the UAE's skyline isn't the only thing reaching new heights.
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