Shaping the Future of Development in the GCC: Artificial Intelligence Policies, Challenges and Opportunities (The Political Economy of the Middle East)

This book assesses the current state of the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and, anticipates its future in the GCC countries. In doing so, it identifies potential gains of implementing AI to increase returns to investment and reduce potential risks that may be associated with the expansion of its use in certain fields. The book also elaborates on the implications of advancing this technology, and the varying use of its application for economic and social development.

This book combines theoretical foundations, ethics and governance with empirical research to examine the effects of AI on key industries like oil and gas, defence, manufacturing, supply chains, solid waste management, smart cities, labor market, and education. The analysis is based on primary data and a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Readers, students, researchers, industry practitioners, and policy makers will benefit from the new insights offered by a diverse group of experts from across the world.

Ahmed Badran is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and former Department Head at Department of International Affairs College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University. He holds a PhD degree in Politics (Public Policy) from the University of Exeter, the United Kingdom.

Ashraf Mishrif is the founding chair of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Research Chair for Economic Studies, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Prior to that he was Associate Professor at King’s College London and taught at several universities in the United Kingdom and the Gulf countries. He also served as Cultural Advisor for the Egyptian Embassy Cultural Bureau in London, and industrial development consultant, UNIDO, Vienna. He is an expert in economic development and the political economy of the Middle East and has authored more than 90 books, chapters, and peer-reviewed papers.