AI Dispatch | 15 - 22 May - MIT Sloan Management Review Middle East

Artificial intelligence is accelerating change across industries and geographies. 'AI Dispatch' tracks the week’s key developments in the fast-evolving global AI landscape.

1. Aramco and Pasqal Launch Saudi Arabia’s First Quantum Computer

Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco and Pasqal said they had inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer and launched the Middle East’s first commercial quantum-computing-as-a-service (QCaaS) platform.

“Located at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran, the computer provides customers with immediate, low-latency access to quantum hardware through a secure cloud platform to address complex industrial challenges”, a statement said.

2. UAE Advances Agentic AI Agenda With Federal Framework for Ministries

A month after announcing plans to automate 50% of governance work with agentic AI, the UAE cabinet has approved an implementation strategy for ministries and federal entities. This is a step towards an automated system for workflows, services, and operational processes with limited human intervention.

This makes the UAE among the first governments worldwide to attempt an AI-run operation of this scale. These AI systems, capable of multi-step tasks and making decisions, will coordinate across public-sector functions. “The journey to UAE Government 4.0 has begun,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE.

3. DEWA becomes the 1st government entity to adopt Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork, as the first government entity in the UAE to take this initiative.

This underscores DEWA’s continued leadership in using AI to deliver services and represents a step forward in leveraging AI agents for everyday public-sector work.

The initiative marks a shift from AI primarily providing information to actively supporting task execution, turning plans and objectives into practical actions integrated into daily operations.

4. Saudi Arabia’s Humain picks Goldman Sachs to advise on data centre financing: Reuters

Saudi Arabia-backed AI company Humain has picked Goldman Sachs to advise on a ‌financing package to build data centres in the kingdom that could be worth at least $5.3 billion.

The move illustrates how Saudi Arabia, like Gulf neighbours Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, is racing towards extending its computing power amid a surge in demand. The country is also banking on cheap energy to power ⁠data centers—a selling point to attract big tech companies driving AI adoption.

The data centres will be developed in the Riyadh area, according to one of the sources.

5. Google, Blackstone Join Hands for an AI Cloud Venture

Google and Blackstone have announced a US-based AI cloud venture with an initial investment of $5 billion. The investment management company revealed that the partnership will also help bring 500 megawatts of data centre capacity online in 2027. The venture will offer data centre capacity, operations, networking, and Google Cloud TPUs through a computer-as-a-service model.

6. Anthropic, Gates Foundation Commit $200 Mn for AI in Health, Education

To leverage AI for global health, education and economic mobility, AI startup Anthropic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have announced a $200 million investment spanning over four years. It will include grants, usage credits for Anthropic’s Claude AI models and technical support for programs in the US and other regions.

7. Win For OpenAI as High-Stakes Trial Concludes: Musk’s Concerns Came Late

A California jury has delivered the verdict in OpenAI and Sam Altman’s favour in what can be termed as one of the tech industry’s most closely watched legal battles. The three-week trial examined the origins of OpenAI and brought to light competing narratives by Altman and Elon Musk. The jurors concluded Musk brought his challenge to OpenAI’s restructuring too late.

8. Replace or Empower Workers? AI Experts Left Divided

With recent layoffs announced by Meta, Oracle, and Standard Chartered, the debate over whether AI is a boon or a threat to workforces is back in the spotlight. AI top voices have spoken actively about the impact the technology can have on jobs, arguing both for and against large-scale displacement. Andrew Ng calls fears “overblown,” Demis Hassabis emphasizes productivity gains and redeployment, while Mustafa Suleyman warns many white-collar roles could vanish soon.