Despite strong awareness of AI’s potential across the Gulf, only a fraction of companies are fully prepared, says Cisco’s regional leader.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming global industries, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is no exception. While enthusiasm for AI adoption is high among Gulf businesses, a significant gap remains between ambition and readiness, according to David Meads, Vice President for the Middle East, Africa, Türkiye, Romania, and CIS at Cisco.
In a recent interview, Meads emphasized that companies across the GCC must act decisively to build the infrastructure, skills, and security frameworks necessary to unlock the full potential of AI.
“We’re going to see two kinds of companies emerge: those that embrace AI with agility and innovation, and those that struggle to stay relevant,” he said.
Cisco’s global AI Readiness Index highlights the disparity: while 99% of organizations in the region acknowledge the need for AI, only a small percentage currently have the foundational infrastructure in place to lead in its deployment.
AI: A Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity for the Gulf
The economic promise of AI in the region is staggering. Studies show that AI could add over $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy by 2030 and account for almost 14% of the UAE’s GDP. Governments and enterprises across the GCC are aligning national visions and corporate strategies to prepare for this transformation.
Across sectors like healthcare, logistics, and finance, AI is already demonstrating real-world impact. Meads cited examples such as AI systems triaging hundreds of thousands of patient X-rays in the UK to detect cancer faster than human teams.
“That’s not the future — that’s now,” he added.
Meads also underscored the rise of Agentic AI — tools that act autonomously, such as customer service platforms that anticipate user needs, or network systems that resolve problems without human intervention.
The Human Factor: Upskilling in an AI-Driven Economy
Contrary to popular belief, Meads said AI is not replacing people — it’s augmenting them.
“The more AI takes on repetitive tasks, the more valuable human skills become,” he noted. “The opportunity is in helping people work alongside AI — training, managing, innovating.”
With nearly 39% of core skills projected to change by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum, upskilling is critical. Cisco’s Networking Academy has already trained over 4.4 million learners across the region in IT and digital security skills, many in collaboration with local educational institutions.
Infrastructure, Safety, and Strategy: Bridging the Readiness Gap
Cisco’s recent global survey of 8,000 business leaders — including many from the Gulf — found that more than 60% of firms have clear AI strategies, and a significant number are committing 10–30% of their IT budgets to AI initiatives.
However, Meads noted three persistent barriers:
Infrastructure and Technical Expertise: Many companies lack the foundational architecture and know-how to scale AI.
Security Concerns: Internal innovation often stalls due to apprehensions about data safety and cyber threats.
Skill Development: Internal training programs are often insufficient to support advanced AI integration.
“This is where Cisco can step in,” Meads said. “We help close the readiness gap — turning AI potential into business reality.”
A New Platform Era: AI and the Future of Tech in the Gulf
Meads described the AI revolution as a platform shift of historic magnitude — possibly the most significant since the rise of the internet.
“We’re not just imagining the future — we’re helping build it,” he stated.
Cisco is investing in advanced networking and energy-efficient infrastructure designed to support AI agents and robotic applications. Strategic partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia, reflect Cisco’s role in shaping the next-generation digital architecture.
“As the region prepares for an AI-powered future, the combination of scalable networks, secure platforms, and human capital development will be essential for success,” Meads concluded.
Source: ArabianBusiness.com
