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Artificial Intelligence in the Middle East: A Comparative Analysis of National Development Strategies

Governance
International Relations
Policy Analysis
Comparative Perspective
Policy-Making
Vahid Mirshafiee
University of Tehran
Vahid Mirshafiee
University of Tehran
Hamid Talebian
German Institute for Global And Area Studies

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that has recently become a focal point of discussion across various fields. Governments around the world have been proactive in facilitating AI, primarily through the development of National AI Strategies. This enthusiasm stems from AI's transformative potential, with significant socio-economic, political, and security implications, including its role in advancing defense and security objectives. Many countries have crafted their AI strategies to define the role they aspire to play in the global landscape and to allocate resources accordingly. In the Middle East, AI has rapidly emerged as a priority for policymakers. The United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are the primary contenders, each leveraging unique resources and capabilities to advance their AI agendas. This paper examines and compares the AI development strategies of these countries by analyzing their governments’ visions, policies, and measures to address the challenges and opportunities posed by AI. While these strategies share certain commonalities, they also exhibit significant differences influenced by each nation’s unique resources, as well as its geopolitical and geo-economic contexts. The aim of this research is to provide a comparative analysis of AI strategies in the Middle East, explore the factors shaping each country’s approach, and assess the prospects for AI development across the region.