The session titled “The Challenge of Expanding Artificial Intelligence” was part of the annual meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025, organized by the Government of the UAE in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. This discussion focused on the avenues and challenges facing the growth of AI, along with the potential for developing supporting infrastructure aimed at achieving a balance between performance, energy efficiency, promoting innovation, and minimizing long-term environmental impacts.
The session featured insights from Sienna Lawson, Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation in Togo; Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation; and Ali Sajwani, Managing Director of Operations, Finance, and Hospitality Sector at DAMAC International.
Also present were Janet Godsell, Dean of the Loughborough Business School in the UK, and Kate Calot, Founder and CEO of Amini in the USA, with moderation by Azeem Azhar, CEO of Exponential View in the UK.
Sienna Lawson emphasized that African nations aiming to enhance national capabilities and bolster their digital transformation infrastructure require effective strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, particularly in the energy and electricity sectors necessary for supporting these infrastructures. She also highlighted the importance of training specialized developers to help accelerate growth and achieve the desired transformation.
Lawson stated, “We are acutely aware of the pivotal role AI plays in our era, which is why we have established a team within the ministry to lead a data lab, comprised of specialists offering support and technical expertise to other government entities. We believe it is vital to broaden the scope of AI deployment and enhance its positive impact, as it directly relates to the economy, environmental protection, and the development of sustainability policies. A significant portion of our energy resources has been invested in developing this sector.”
Khalfan Belhoul remarked, “Since the foundation of the Dubai Future Foundation, the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has been to make Dubai a living lab for the future. From our inception, we have committed to transforming challenges and mistakes into opportunities for growth and improvement. Today, we have a dedicated team that continuously works on envisioning and shaping the future, despite the rapid changes and the growing implications of AI globally.”
He continued, “This reality compels us to create an ideal and stimulating environment for innovation through effective partnerships with the private sector, which possesses the resources and technologies necessary to accelerate AI adoption and develop policies and operational methods that align with this transformation.”
Belhoul also added, “Despite the remarkable technological advancements we are witnessing, we are still in the early stages of effectively leveraging AI and have not yet fully integrated it across various sectors. Nevertheless, we continue to work steadily towards maximizing the benefits of this promising technology.”
Ali Sajwani commented, “Establishing specialized data centers is a fundamental cornerstone in supporting technological advancements, as energy plays a vital role in enabling data generation and operating AI systems. While it is crucial to rely on renewable energy sources like solar energy, it does not currently match the efficiency level of nuclear energy, which must be considered when developing the infrastructure and data centers.”
He stressed the importance of addressing these considerations to avoid future challenges related to meeting operational needs and to begin thinking about sustainable and balanced solutions that ensure energy efficiency.
In a related discussion, Janet Godsell pointed out that her country has a clear AI strategy, with data centers being a key component of its digital infrastructure. However, she noted that investment in large data centers remains limited due to challenges in providing substantial energy supplies.
Kate Calot affirmed that the world is experiencing a significant shift in computing power, which is a fundamental element in data collection and the development of specialized digital infrastructures.
Khalfan Belhoul
The private sector possesses the resources and technologies needed to expedite AI adoption.
Sienna Lawson
There are direct economic implications from expanding AI usage.