Latest news with #StanfordAIIndex
Arabian Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Secures Tenth Spot in World FDI Rankings
The United Arab Emirates drew AED 167.6 billion in foreign direct investment in 2024, climbing to tenth position globally, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development's World Investment Report 2025. This 48.7 percent surge from 2023 cements the UAE as a top-tier destination for international capital, with greenfield projects playing a central role. Foreign investors backed 1,369 new greenfield ventures worth AED 53.3 billion, placing the UAE second globally in announced projects, trailing only the United States. Remarkably, nearly 37 percent of total FDI into the Middle East went to the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum described the achievement as 'an international vote of confidence in the UAE's economy', adding that AED 37 of every AED 100 invested in the region now enters the UAE. He attributed the growth to a unified national development agenda under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underpinned by strategic policy clarity and government cohesion. ADVERTISEMENT The UAE's cumulative FDI stock has reached AED 994.9 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 percent since 2015. This growth trajectory builds on a decade-long expansion, with inflows growing from AED 31.6 billion in 2015 to AED 167.6 billion in 2024. A diverse range of sectors attracted foreign capital. Software and IT services projects led greenfield values with 11.5 percent, followed by business services, renewable energy, oil and gas, and real estate. Energy-specific inflows to renewable initiatives reached AED 4.8 billion, helping drive a national target to triple clean-energy capacity by 2030. The Ministry of Investment, established in 2023 with Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi as minister, was credited with orchestrating this outcome through regulatory reforms and global outreach. Under its stewardship, clear legislation and incentives—including full foreign-ownership rights, a standard corporate tax of 9 percent, and streamlined licensing—have enhanced the investment environment. Global rankings reflect these advances: the UAE placed fifth in the 2024 Global Talent Competitiveness Index and third in the 2024 Stanford AI Index for AI talent attraction. The nation has also forged 21 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements and 120 bilateral investment treaties, further easing entry for international investors. National strategy for the next decade envisions doubling cumulative FDI to AED 1.3 trillion by 2031, aligned with the National Investment Strategy 2031 which prioritises sustainable growth through sector diversification. Initiatives focus on attracting innovation and green investments while scaling existing operations. Despite a global slowdown in productive FDI—with global flows down 11 percent adjusted for conduit economies—the UAE has charted a positive 2.8 percent rise in greenfield projects, underscoring its resilience. Legal insight from White & Case points to ongoing sector-specific reforms that will deepen the FDI ecosystem, including possible relaxation of onshore investment restrictions and expansion of free zone offerings.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
New Gallup Report: AI Culture Readiness Demands New Mindsets
Digital generated image of young woman jumping through portal door and turning into avatar in ... More imaginary world. Metaverse concept. In our workplaces a quiet revolution is unfolding. It is marked by the persistent hum of cultural transformation. Recent Gallup research reveals a striking reality: while algorithmic tools are increasingly common, especially in white-collar jobs (with 27% of employees now using them often — a 12-point jump since 2024), the readiness to truly work alongside these systems has dropped. The percentage of employees who feel fully prepared to collaborate with algorithmic intelligence continued its decline from 2024 into 2025, suggesting this disconnect persists and may even intensify. This mirrors data from the Stanford AI Index 2025 which shows that although four in five computer science teachers agree that using AI and learning about AI should be included in a foundational CS learning experience, less than half of them feel equipped to teach it. The gap between widespread use and emotional readiness signals something vital about how humans are interacting with their expanding range of digital counterparts. We are witnessing the rise of a cohabitation state where algorithms integrate into our lives faster than our minds and cultures can adapt. In this context the European Union's AI Act, which took effect on August 1, 2024, is more than just a regulatory framework. It's a philosophical statement about how humans and machines should coexist. By emphasizing transparency, the Act ensures that users know when they are interacting with AI systems, including chatbots and deepfakes. This reflects a commitment to conscious engagement, rather than a slide along the scale of agency decay, into the darker waters of unaware dependence. This regulatory blueprint arrives at a sensitive time, just as computing power surges, promising myriad benefits. The EU's approach recognizes that successful AI integration isn't just about technical compliance — it demands a cultural metamorphosis. The phenomenon of cognitive offloading — our natural tendency to outsource mental tasks to external tools — is accelerating quickly. This trend is risky amid AI. While algorithmic tools can boost productivity and quality, with research showing that well managed interactions with generative AI systems increase both the quantity and quality of human labor, they also tend to erode our critical thinking skills by encouraging us to bypass mental effort. How do we harness AI's power to augment our abilities without sacrificing our cognitive independence? Rather than an either-or, natural versus artificial equation the answer might be appropriate reliance — or maybe even better 'adequate acquaintance', a fine-tuned relationship that allows humans and machines to collaborate effectively within clearly defined territories. The real leap occurs when we move beyond seeing AI as just another powerful tool and recognize it as a cognitive partner. Hybrid intelligence comes with two main models for augmented intelligence: human-in-the-loop collaboration and cognitive computing-based augmentation. Consider medical research, where a hybrid approach is already taking root. AI's pattern recognition is excellent in diagnostic imaging, while human oversight remains paramount for life-critical decisions. The outcome isn't replacement, but true complementarity — each partner bringing unique strengths to achieve results neither could achieve alone. Similarly, when accomplished jazz musicians collaborate with generative AI to compose new pieces, the algorithm's vast knowledge of harmonic possibilities, combined with the musician's emotional intuition, creates symphonies beyond what either could achieve independently. The computational system suggests pathways traditional training might miss, while human artistry steers the algorithm towards emotionally resonant territory it could never identify alone. This evolving partnership demands what we call double literacy — fluency in both human and algorithmic domains, individually and collectively. At the individual level, algorithmic literacy means not just knowing how to prompt an AI, but understanding its underlying logic, limitations, biases, and best uses. Human literacy involves continuously developing our unique human capacities: creativity, empathy, ethical reasoning, and the ability to ask truly meaningful questions. Ironically understanding artificial intelligence starts by developing a more nuanced comprehension of natural intelligence. Insights from cognitive psychology can help educators and trainers better utilize AI-powered tools to facilitate learning, rather than letting them replace essential human cognitive processes. At the organizational level, such double literacy translates into institutional cultures that gracefully navigate the tension between efficiency and emotional safety, creativity and compassion, between delegating tasks and curating cognitive engagement. Gallup's research into algorithmic culture readiness looks underscores that successful AI integration demands a mindset transformation across every part of an organization. At the heart of effective human-machine collaboration lies trust calibration — the delicate balance between trust in AI systems and healthy skepticism. The question is to deliberately manage the risk of over-reliance on algorithms while creating intuitive hybrid interfaces that allow for seamless human-human and human-machine interaction. Over-reliance comes from blindly accepting AI recommendations; it leads to avoidable errors. Yet, under-reliance means missing out on the potential of genuine enhancements. The sweet spot demands a conscious cultivation of smart skepticism — neither besotted faith nor rigid rejection, but thoughtful case-by-case evaluation. Gallup's report confirms the bedrock of successful human-machine collaboration. The organizational culture that is needed now must actively foster four qualities : Curiosity fuels the exploration necessary to grasp AI's capabilities and limitations. Organizations must encourage questioning algorithmic outputs, seeing it not as resistance, but as a vital part of innovation. Compassion ensures that human well-being remains central as AI systems evolve. This means prioritizing not just efficiency gains, but the human impact of AI on employees, customers, and communities. Creativity enables the kind of hybrid collaboration that produces truly novel solutions. Instead of merely automating existing processes, creative organizations explore how human-machine partnerships can generate entirely new approaches. Courage provides the willingness to experiment, learn from setbacks, and adapt in an uncertain landscape. This includes the courage to pause or even reverse AI implementations if they don't ultimately serve human flourishing. Humans and algorithms working together can outperform AI systems that outcompete humans when alone. This challenges the common idea that the goal is to create AI that completely replaces human labor. Instead, the path ahead calls for conscious collaboration — intentional partnerships where humans remain fully engaged, even as they delegate specific tasks. This demands new approaches to education with a focus on critical thinking and comfort with questions that don't have easy answers. It requires new management practices and fresh cultural norms around human to human and human-machine interaction. Ultimately the ongoing tech transition requires hybrid humanistic leadership. The coming stages stages of AI culture changes will be best navigated by those who have a holistic understanding of themselves, others and the human implications of AI. As we navigate this transformation, organizations and individuals can apply the CREATE framework for conscious algorithmic collaboration: Curate: Deliberately select AI tools and applications that align with human values and organizational goals, rather than adopting technology for its own sake. Relate: Maintain human relationships and emotional intelligence as central to decision-making processes, using algorithms to enhance rather than replace human connection. Evaluate: Continuously assess both AI outputs and human responses, fostering cultures of intelligent skepticism and iterative improvement. Adapt: Build flexibility into human-machine systems, allowing for adjustment as both technologies and human understanding evolve. Be Transparent: Ensure all stakeholders understand when and how AI systems are being used, following the EU's emphasis on conscious awareness of algorithmic interaction. Remain Ethical: Prioritize human flourishing and societal benefit in all AI implementation decisions, maintaining human agency as the ultimate arbiter of important choices. The future belongs not to humans or machines alone, but to their conscious, carefully orchestrated collaboration. In this dance of minds, both partners must remain fully present, each contributing their unique strengths while learning to move in harmony. The Gallup report hints to the fact that the results of that alliance could come from hybrid space which neither could achieve alone — one that pushes creation into unforeseen territory while preserving human agency amid AI. Let's travel.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Graphics: AI startups are still hot investment picks
Investments in generative AI startups continue unabated despite macro downturns and geopolitical tensions. Going by Pitchbook's latest report, 58% of the $73-billion global VC investments in the first quarter of 2025 was in AI startups. ETtech The 2025 Stanford AI Index report says private AI investments increased 44.5% between 2023 and 2024. In addition, corporate investments in AI through mergers and acquisitions, minority stakes and public offerings have seen a 25.5% uptick in 2024 compared to in 2023. These investments stood at $19 billion in 2014. This has come on the back of rising adoption of AI as companies begin to see clear return on investments. Swathi Moorthy looks at how the AI investment landscape has changed in the past year in terms of investments and adoption.
Daily Tribune
10-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ranks First Globally for Female Inclusion in AI Sector
Saudi Arabia has secured the top global position in empowering women in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to the prestigious AI Index Report 2025 published by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). The achievement marks a major milestone in the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to build a world-class AI ecosystem under the umbrella of Vision 2030. The ranking is based on the female-to-male ratio in AI-related roles and reflects the success of Saudi Arabia's ambitious national policies and strategic initiatives aimed at increasing female participation and leadership in the technology sector. These efforts are spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). In addition to leading in women's empowerment, Saudi Arabia also placed third globally in AI job growth for 2024, fourth in the number of leading AI models, and eighth in attracting AI talent, confirming the Kingdom's growing influence in the global AI landscape. The Kingdom now stands among a select group of nations—including the United States, China, France, Canada, and Korea—that have developed advanced AI models. These accomplishments highlight Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering innovation, investing in talent, and expanding digital infrastructure. SDAIA's impact has been significant, with initiatives such as the 'Elevate' program —developed in partnership with Google Cloud—which aims to train over 25,000 women in technology and AI. The authority has also launched several training camps and professional development programs to build local capabilities and prepare Saudi talent for leadership roles both regionally and globally. The Stanford AI Index serves as an essential global benchmark for understanding AI development and trends. Saudi Arabia's strong performance in this year's report confirms its status as a rising leader in the AI field and reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and economic diversification through technology.
Leaders
09-04-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Tops Global Rankings in Empowering Women in AI
Saudi Arabia has achieved a remarkable milestone in artificial intelligence (AI). The Kingdom ranked first globally in empowering women in AI, according to the AI Index Report 2025 by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). Significant Progress in AI Development The Kingdom has made significant strides in AI job growth, talent attraction, and the development of leading AI models. This progress reflects the success of ambitious national policies and initiatives aimed at promoting women's participation and leadership in the technology sector. The Stanford AI Index is a trusted international reference for policymakers, researchers, and industry experts. It highlights the current state and emerging trends of AI worldwide. Saudi Arabia's achievements align with Saudi Vision 2030, supported by advanced training programs and professional development initiatives. The Kingdom ranked third globally in AI job growth for 2024 and fourth in the number of leading AI models. Saudi Arabia is among seven countries that have published advanced AI models, alongside the United States, China, France, Canada, and Korea. Attracting Global AI Talent Additionally, the Kingdom now ranks eighth worldwide for attracting AI professionals, driven by state-backed innovation ecosystems and robust digital infrastructure. This growth underscores Saudi Arabia's appeal as a stable, forward-thinking tech hub. These accomplishments reflect the Kingdom's strategic efforts to establish global leadership in AI, led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). SDAIA focuses on building national capabilities, advancing policy frameworks, promoting investment, and driving innovation. Furthermore, the authority also strengthens digital infrastructure and accelerates the adoption of AI technologies across key sectors to fulfill the goals of Vision 2030. Empowering Women in Technology In the area of women's empowerment, SDAIA has implemented several high-impact initiatives. Among them is the 'Elevate' program, developed in partnership with Google Cloud. This program aims to empower more than 25,000 women in technology and AI fields. Additional efforts include specialized training camps and capacity-building programs. These initiatives have positioned Saudi women to lead locally and internationally in AI. Saudi Arabia's commitment to empowering women in AI sets a global example. The Kingdom's strategic initiatives and investments continue to elevate its standing in the AI landscape. Short link : Post Views: 91
