The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to launch new artificial intelligence (AI) models inspired by China’s DeepSeek, which has challenged American tech giants in the AI race. Faisal Al Bannai, the driving force behind the UAE’s Falcon large language model, expressed optimism about the emergence of DeepSeek, calling it a “fantastic news” moment for the AI industry. He stated that the UAE’s own AI efforts, including the Falcon model launched in 2023, were motivated by this disruption.
Al Bannai emphasized that the competition in AI is still in its early stages, with DeepSeek demonstrating that smaller, agile teams and nations can have a significant impact on the field. He also mentioned the UAE’s commitment to expanding its AI capabilities with new models that aim to make a mark in the global AI race.
Alongside Falcon, the UAE has developed Jais, an Arabic-language AI chatbot, and has significantly digitized government services. The country is also investing heavily in physical infrastructure for AI, including building data centers in France and the US. Al Bannai highlighted that the UAE’s ability to attract talent, its wealth, and swift decision-making put it in a strong position to compete in the global AI landscape.
Al Bannai also addressed concerns about AI regulation, stating that regulating AI too heavily could stifle innovation. He argued that regulation should focus on key areas without impeding growth, as nations or companies that move quickly could outpace those that hesitate.
