UAE and Saudi Arabia lead global shift towards sovereign AI

• Data show 17% of all surveyed enterprises in the region are considered ‘Deeply Committed’ to sovereign AI—substantially higher than the global average of 13%.

Lately, it feels like the world is waking up to a new reality: controlling your own data and AI destiny matters more than ever.

According to fresh findings from EnterpriseDB (EDB), companies in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are trailblazing this global movement toward AI and data sovereignty, leaving many other regions scrambling to catch up.

Enterprises in countries that show the highest propensity for data and AI sovereignty now show a difference of 12 per ent from the lowest country (France) to 29 per cent for the highest in UAE and Germany.

Scandinavia ranks third, the US. fourth, Japan fifth, Singapore sixth, Spain seventh, Italy eighth, India ninth, the U.K. tenth, and India eleventh.

While these positions vary, the constant leaders through the growth of AI and data sovereignty are UAE, Scandinavia, and Germany. This measure does not reflect absolute opportunity but relative position.

Sovereign AI adoption is about more than tech jargon—it’s the ability for organisations to manage, localise, and secure their AI systems and data, all on their own terms.

That means deciding where data lives, how AI models are trained, and which platforms are trusted—without relying on foreign vendors or infrastructures.

The result? Stronger compliance with national laws, fortified data security, and a big confidence boost for innovation.

The Middle East’s edge

EDB’s recent report, titled “Sovereignty Matters: A Global Blueprint for Sovereign, Agentic and Generative AI,” puts a big spotlight on the Middle East’s momentum.

The data shows that 17 per cent of all surveyed enterprises in the region are considered ‘Deeply Committed’ to sovereign AI—substantially higher than the global average of 13 per cent.

These aren’t just buzzword-dropping organizations; they’re planting their flags and treating sovereignty as a must-have, not a nice-to-have. According to the research, the pay-off is real: these leaders are seeing up to five times greater returns on their AI investments compared to less committed peers.

Neglecting sovereignty, however, is a risky game. Without full control, organizations run into siloed data, regulatory headaches, and can even jeopardise entire digital ecosystems over one misstep.

In a world speeding toward agentic and generative AI, projected to pump over $1 trillion into global GDP by 2028, that’s playing with real stakes.

National priorities and ambitious government blueprints are crucial. The UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 have put AI front and centre as levers for economic transformation, job creation, and global competitiveness.

These aren’t just political slogans—they’re frameworks that encourage local enterprises to view data ownership as essential for innovation and resilience.

Kevin Dallas, EDB’s CEO, didn’t mince words: “Sovereignty over AI and data is the single biggest predictor of success with generative and agentic AI. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are showing the world what’s possible when organisations treat sovereignty as mission-critical. They’re scaling, securing, and reaping game-changing returns.”

Kash Rafique, who leads EDB in the Middle East and Africa, echoed the sentiment: “Sovereignty is a foundation for growth here. Forward-thinking government programs have nurtured an environment where controlling AI and data is the baseline for banking, energy, health, and logistics.”

Stats that speak volumes

EDB’s research is tough to ignore. After surveying over 2,000 enterprise executives globally—and a closer look at 175 in the UAE and KSA—the results are stunning:

• 95 per cent of companies globally aim to launch their own sovereign AI and data platforms in the next three years
• Only 13 per cent (the ‘Deeply Committed’) have actually pulled it off today
• These leaders boast:
  • 5x higher ROI on AI investments
  • Twice as many mainstream AI deployments
  • 2.5x more confidence that they’ll lead their industries

Meanwhile, the majority risk lagging behind—hampered by scattered data, incompatible tech, and underused intelligence tools.

For enterprises wanting a trustworthy, high-performing AI foundation, sovereignty is quickly becoming the key differentiator.

The Middle East, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is setting a template for the rest of the world: take control now, and the future of AI-driven innovation, efficiency, and leadership is yours for the taking.