Manama, Bahrain – Digital Dubai, in collaboration with government and private sector partners, has initiated steps to implement the Strategic Vision for the Data Centre Economy in Dubai. Approved by the Executive Council, this vision aims to position Dubai as a leading example of future economies powered by emerging technologies, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goal to boost economic productivity by 50% through digital innovation.
Digital Dubai is working with key entities including the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Municipality, the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. These coordinated efforts aim to enhance Dubai’s readiness for a future economy and reinforce its leadership in digital transformation.
Leading Destination for Sustainable Data Centres
The strategic vision aims to make Dubai a premier destination for sustainable data centres equipped with AI technologies. This initiative will foster integration and coordination among various entities such as Digital Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, as well as non-governmental agencies.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, highlighted Dubai’s competitive edge, including its achievements in digital transformation, an attractive investment environment, and its strategic position as a regional hub for digital excellence. He emphasized that the digital economy is a crucial pillar of Dubai’s strategy, contributing $100 billion to the overall economy.
Innovation and Strategic Partnerships
Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, noted the emergence of new economic patterns and the importance of data in economic activities. He emphasized the significance of the data centre economy in the context of AI, smart cities, and metaverse technologies.
Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation, praised the AI-powered data centre economy strategy as a testament to visionary leadership. He stressed that this approach ensures Dubai remains at the forefront of the global digital economy, fostering innovation and unlocking significant economic potential.
Preliminary Initiatives and Future Prospects
Digital Dubai is working on initiatives to enhance cloud computing adoption in the government sector, develop high-performance computing, and increase the use of advanced data centres and renewable energy. These efforts aim to improve energy efficiency and government coordination in planning, land, and energy.
Scientific analysis by Digital Dubai identified opportunities for coordination to attract AI-driven data centres, making Dubai a hub for digital investment. The strategic vision for AI-backed data centres is expected to create over AED14.3 billion ($3.89 billion) in added value by 2028 and generate job opportunities in the digital economy.
This vision will enhance Dubai’s readiness for next-generation technologies such as Web 3.0, Metaverse, Smart Cities, and the Internet of Things, and strengthen partnerships in sustainable AI, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global innovation hub.
