As the world plunges deeper into the era of artificial intelligence, a transformation as significant as the rise of the internet in the early 2000s is underway. AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it is the engine driving the next industrial revolution, with the potential to reshape global economies, redefine governance and revolutionize education, healthcare and national security.

For the Middle East, this is not a distant horizon. It is an urgent present: countries must either embrace this new technological epoch with bold, coordinated investment in AI infrastructure or risk being sidelined in the global race for innovation and prosperity.

At the heart of this new age lies the infrastructure that powers AI. This encompasses far more than algorithms or machine learning software. It begins with data centers — massive, energy-intensive facilities equipped with high-performance computing capabilities that allow AI systems to process and analyze staggering volumes of information. These data centers are the physical backbone of AI development, providing the computational muscle required for training large language models, real-time data analytics and AI-driven decision-making tools.

Without such infrastructure, AI systems remain theoretical, unable to operate at scale or deliver meaningful impact. In addition to data centers, robust cloud computing platforms are essential. These platforms enable the seamless deployment, distribution and management of AI applications across various sectors — from public services to private enterprises — ensuring scalability, speed and accessibility across entire populations.

Countries must either embrace this new technological epoch or risk being sidelined in the race for innovation and prosperity

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh

However, infrastructure in the physical sense is only one side of the equation. Human capital is equally important, if not even more so. The successful integration of AI into society depends on a skilled workforce — engineers, data scientists, machine learning specialists and policymakers — who can design, build, implement and regulate these advanced systems. Investment in education and training programs focused on AI, data science and ethical governance is essential to create a new generation of thinkers and leaders who can navigate the complexities of this technology responsibly.

Without such investment in people, even the most advanced infrastructure will sit idle, underused or misused. Furthermore, AI development must be guided by a clear regulatory and ethical framework to ensure it serves humanity equitably. Governments must create laws and policies to protect privacy, prevent bias and guarantee transparency in AI decision-making. These frameworks are not merely bureaucratic necessities — they are foundational to public trust and international credibility.

Amid this transformative moment, two Middle Eastern countries — Saudi Arabia and the UAE — have emerged as regional leaders in the AI space. Their efforts provide a compelling blueprint for what strategic foresight and sustained investment can achieve.

Saudi Arabia, guided by its Vision 2030 agenda, has made AI a national priority. The Kingdom this month launched a groundbreaking state-backed company named Humain, dedicated to spearheading AI development and commercialization. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Humain has quickly positioned itself as a major player by forging partnerships with leading global tech firms such as Nvidia and AMD.

These partnerships aim to secure access to the high-performance chips and technologies that are critical for building AI infrastructure, including the deployment of new-generation data centers within Saudi territory. Such collaborations not only signal Saudi Arabia’s technological ambitions but also reflect a broader commitment to building an innovation-based economy.

But some other countries in the region risk falling dangerously behind. Economically, nations that fail to embrace AI risk losing out on billions of dollars in productivity gains and new job creation. AI is poised to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, logistics, energy and finance. Countries that do not build the infrastructure to support these changes may see their industries fall into stagnation, lose competitiveness and suffer from growing unemployment and brain drain.

Two Middle Eastern countries — Saudi Arabia and the UAE — have emerged as regional leaders in the AI space

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh

In terms of governance, the implications are equally troubling. Governments that do not incorporate AI into public administration will struggle to deliver efficient services, predict policy outcomes or manage resources effectively. They will miss out on AI-driven tools for urban planning, traffic management, resource allocation and even pandemic response. In contrast, countries that harness AI will be able to govern more smartly and respond to crises with agility.

The same applies to national security. In an era where cyberwarfare, surveillance and automated defense systems are rapidly evolving, nations without AI capabilities will face significant vulnerabilities. Their inability to defend against cyberattacks or use AI in intelligence gathering and threat detection could compromise sovereignty and internal stability.

There is also a societal cost. Without regulation and oversight, the use of AI can lead to serious ethical breaches, from algorithmic bias and privacy violations to social manipulation through disinformation. In the absence of proper guardrails, imported AI technologies could be used in ways that erode democratic values, undermine human rights and amplify existing inequalities.

In conclusion, the global AI transformation is not a far-off fantasy — it is unfolding now. Just as the rise of the internet in the early 2000s transformed commerce, culture and communication, AI is redefining the contours of the 21st-century world. The Middle East must respond with urgency.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown what is possible with vision, capital and strategic partnerships. Their actions have not only accelerated their own national development but have also raised the stakes for the region as a whole. This momentum must continue and it must spread. Now is the time for other regional governments, private sector leaders and civil society to come together to forge national and transnational strategies for AI infrastructure development. This includes funding and constructing modern data centers, investing in broadband and cloud platforms, launching AI-focused education and training programs, and designing comprehensive ethical and legal frameworks for the responsible use of AI.

The longer countries delay, the harder it will be to catch up. Inaction today will result in diminished sovereignty, economic irrelevance and technological dependence tomorrow.

• Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh