1 février 2026

United Arab Emirates and Artificial Intelligence: Global Leadership and Strategic Partnerships with France

Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates have positioned themselves as global leaders in artificial intelligence, integrating AI as a strategic driver of economic diversification, smart governance and innovation. In this context, the partnership with France represents a key strategic axis, built on complementary expertise, shared values and a common ambition to promote responsible, human-centered artificial intelligence.

Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have established themselves as one of the global leaders in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), driven by a proactive vision that early on recognized the central role of this technology in the economy of the future, the strengthening of international competitiveness, and the modernization of government systems. The UAE view AI not merely as a technological tool, but as an integrated strategic choice impacting the economy, governance, education, scientific research, and quality of life.

Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of the UAE’s Economic Transformation

AI represents a central engine of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy, systematically integrated into key sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing, smart transportation, logistics, healthcare, and the financial sector. This approach has improved production efficiency, accelerated innovation, and strengthened the competitiveness of the national economy in an international environment characterized by rapid technological change.

It has also contributed to the creation of a favorable ecosystem for startups, the attraction of high-quality investments, and the consolidation of the UAE’s position as a regional and global hub for advanced technologies and the digital economy.

Smart Governance and a Flexible Legislative Framework

At the governmental level, the UAE use AI as a core tool to enhance the efficiency of public services, strengthen institutional performance, and improve quality of life. Big data analytics and predictive algorithms have become integral components of decision-making processes and strategic planning mechanisms.

This transformation is supported by an advanced and flexible regulatory framework that balances the promotion of innovation with the protection of fundamental values, particularly in data governance, cybersecurity, and privacy protection, thereby ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of AI.

Advanced Digital Infrastructure and an Integrated Innovation Ecosystem

The UAE have made substantial investments in the development of cutting-edge digital infrastructure, including advanced data centers, high-performance computing capabilities, and digital platforms that support research and development. These investments have strengthened cooperation between the public and private sectors and fostered collaboration among universities, research centers, and industrial institutions.

This model has transformed the country into a regional innovation platform and a real-world testing environment for AI applications, ranging from smart cities to the green economy.

UAE–France: A Strategic Partnership in Artificial Intelligence

Within this context, the relationship between the UAE and France represents an advanced strategic partnership in the field of AI and advanced technologies. Both countries share a common vision of AI as a lever for economic growth, technological sovereignty, and the modernization of public policies.

Bilateral cooperation spans several areas: joint scientific research, exchange of expertise, development of innovative solutions for advanced industry, energy, defense, transportation, and smart services, as well as close collaboration between leading universities, research centers, and technology companies.

Complementarity of Expertise and Strategic Visions

France possesses strong scientific and academic capital in AI, applied mathematics, and advanced engineering, along with a leading ecosystem of research institutions and technology companies. The UAE, for their part, offer a flexible regulatory environment, advanced digital infrastructure, and a strong capacity to transform innovation into concrete projects with high economic and social impact.

This complementarity forms the foundation of a strategic partnership based on knowledge exchange, technology localization, and the development of shared capabilities capable of competing on a global scale.

Responsible Artificial Intelligence: A Shared Value

The implementation of responsible AI is one of the key shared values between the UAE and France. Both countries place particular emphasis on the ethical and human dimensions of digital transformation and highlight the need to establish frameworks that ensure transparency, privacy protection, and societal trust in intelligent technologies.

This convergence of values gives bilateral cooperation a strategic dimension that goes beyond technical and economic interests, contributing to the definition of a balanced international model for AI governance.

International Recognition and a Forward-Looking Partnership

The progress achieved by the UAE across major global AI and innovation indicators reflects international recognition of their development model. It also paves the way for deeper partnerships with key European countries such as France. Through this collaboration, both nations aim to actively contribute to shaping the future of artificial intelligence on foundations of innovation, sustainability, and responsibility.

The UAE’s experience in AI represents a global model combining strategic vision, smart investment, and flexible governance. The partnership with France strengthens this trajectory by building on complementary expertise, aligned strategic visions, and the construction of a balanced digital future that places people at the center of technological transformation.

©2026 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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