By Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sabah

AAIOT Chairman of the Board of Directors

The Arabian Gulf countries are known for their vast oil reserves and wealth, but they are also facing serious challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and corruption. To address these issues and diversify their economies, they are investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in various sectors.

AI is the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making. AI can help improve efficiency, productivity, and innovation, as well as reduce costs, emissions, and risks. AI can also enable new solutions and opportunities that were not possible before. In this article, we will review some examples of how AI is transforming the Arabian Gulf in different domains.

Oil and Gas

The oil and gas industry is one of the most important sectors in the Arabian Gulf as it contributes to the 48.3 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves with 15 million barrels of oil extracted daily. However, it is also facing challenges such as declining production, increasing demand, and environmental impacts. AI can help optimize the exploration, extraction, refining, and distribution of oil and gas, as well as enhance safety and security.

For instance, AI can help analyze seismic data and identify potential reservoirs, as well as monitor and control the operations of wells, pipelines, and refineries. AI can also help detect and prevent leaks, spills, and accidents, as well as reduce flaring and greenhouse gas emissions. Some examples of AI projects in the oil and gas sector in the Arabian Gulf are:

Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, has partnered with Google Cloud to deploy AI solutions for its operations, such as improving reservoir modeling, enhancing drilling performance, and optimizing energy consumption.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the state-owned oil company of the UAE, has launched an AI platform called Panorama, which integrates data from across its value chain and provides real-time insights and recommendations for its operations, such as increasing production, reducing costs, and improving safety.

The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), the national oil company of Kuwait, has collaborated with IBM to use AI and cloud computing to optimize its operations, such as enhancing reservoir management, increasing recovery rates, and reducing water injection.

Clean Energy

The Arabian Gulf countries are also investing in clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, and nuclear, to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate their environmental impacts. AI can help integrate and manage these sources, as well as increase their efficiency and reliability. AI can help forecast the supply and demand of renewable energy, as well as optimize the grid and storage systems. AI can also help monitor and maintain the performance and condition of clean energy assets, as well as detect and prevent faults and failures. Some examples of AI projects in the clean energy sector in the Arabian Gulf are:

The UAE is building the world’s largest solar park, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park, which will have a capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. The park will use AI to optimize its operations, such as tracking the sun, adjusting the panels, and cleaning the dust.

Saudi Arabia is developing the world’s first utility-scale wind farm, the Dumat Al Jandal Wind Farm, which will have a capacity of 400 megawatts by 2022. The farm will use AI to optimize its operations, such as predicting the wind speed and direction, controlling the turbines, and enhancing the power output.

Climate Change

The Arabian Gulf countries are highly vulnerable to climate change effects. AI can help predict and mitigate these impacts, offering early warning systems for disasters and supporting adaptation efforts. It plays a key role in conserving natural resources, promoting sustainable practices, and implementing projects specific to the region’s climate challenges. Examples of AI projects in the Arabian Gulf related to climate change include:

The UAE has launched the UAE Climate Change Research Network, which is a platform that connects researchers and stakeholders to collaborate on AI and data-driven solutions for climate change, such as enhancing climate models, analyzing climate risks, and developing climate policies.

Saudi Arabia has initiated the Saudi Green Initiative, which is a plan that aims to reduce carbon emissions and increase the green cover in the country, such as planting 10 billion trees, generating 50 percent of the electricity from renewables, and capturing 60 million tons of carbon by 2030. The initiative will use AI to monitor and evaluate its progress and impact.

Oman has established the Oman Environmental Data Network, which is a system that collects and analyzes data from various sources, such as satellites, sensors, and drones, to provide information and insights on environmental conditions and issues, such as air quality, water resources, and biodiversity.

Smart Cities

The Arabian Gulf nations are creating smart cities, using technology to improve the lives of residents and visitors. AI plays a vital role in enhancing features like mobility, connectivity, security, and governance. It improves transportation by optimizing routes, reducing congestion, and increasing safety. AI also aids communication by providing information and assistance, ensuring security and privacy, and supporting decision-making with data analysis. Some AI projects in the smart city domain in the Arabian Gulf include:

Dubai, the largest city in the UAE, has launched the Dubai Smart City Initiative, which is a vision to transform the city into the smartest and happiest city in the world, by implementing AI solutions in various sectors, such as health, education, tourism, and finance.

Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, has initiated the Riyadh Smart City Program, which is a plan to transform the city into a smart and sustainable city, by implementing AI solutions in various sectors, such as energy, water, waste, and environment.

Water Desalination

The Arabian Gulf nations face water scarcity due to limited freshwater sources and high consumption. They depend on desalination, which removes salt from seawater. AI can enhance the desalination process and reduce environmental impacts. It optimizes plants by selecting the best technology, adjusting parameters, and increasing efficiency. AI monitors and maintains plants by detecting faults, scheduling repairs, and minimizing waste through energy recovery and water recycling. Examples of AI projects in water desalination in the Arabian Gulf include:

The UAE has built the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination plant, the Jebel Ali SWRO Plant, which has a capacity of 600,000 cubic meters per day. The plant uses AI to optimize its operations, such as controlling the pressure, temperature, and flow, and reducing the energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Saudi Arabia has developed the world’s first solar-powered desalination plant, the Al Khafji SWRO Plant, which has a capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per day. The plant uses AI to optimize its operations, such as maximizing solar power, minimizing battery usage, and enhancing water quality.

Oman has created the world’s first integrated water desalination and agriculture project, the Sahara Forest Project, which uses seawater and solar energy to produce fresh water, food, and energy. The project uses AI to optimize its operations, such as regulating the greenhouse climate, irrigating the crops, and managing the saltwater ponds.

Fighting Corruption

The Arabian Gulf countries are actively addressing corruption, defined as the misuse of power for personal gain. Corruption poses a threat to the economic development, social justice, and political stability of these nations. AI emerges as a potent tool in the fight against corruption, championing transparency and accountability. For instance, AI can detect and prevent corruption by analyzing data, identifying anomalies, and promptly alerting authorities. It also aids in the investigation and prosecution of corruption, involving the collection of evidence, source verification, and support for legal cases. Additionally, AI plays a role in monitoring and evaluating anti-corruption initiatives, measuring performance, assessing impact, and providing valuable feedback. Notable AI projects combating corruption in the Arabian Gulf include:

In the UAE, the government utilizes AI algorithms to audit financial records, detecting irregularities and potential corruption cases. Al Mersad, developed by the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority, enhances the speed and accuracy of the auditing process. These automated audits contribute significantly to ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances.

In Qatar, although not directly related to AI, the use of blockchain technology ensures transparency in land ownership records. This measure effectively prevents fraudulent land transactions, thereby mitigating corruption risks.

In conclusion, AI is transforming the Arabian Gulf in various ways, from oil and gas to water desalination. AI can help the Arabian Gulf countries overcome their challenges and achieve their goals, as well as create new possibilities and opportunities for their future. However, AI also poses some risks and challenges, such as ethical, social, and legal implications, that need to be addressed and regulated. Therefore, the Arabian Gulf countries need to adopt a balanced and responsible approach to AI development and deployment, that considers the benefits and costs, the opportunities and threats, and the values and principles of their societies. By doing so, they can harness the power of AI to enhance their well-being, prosperity, and sustainability.