UAE’s Digital Boom Isn’t Neutral—It’s Rewriting Power in the Region
The United Arab Emirates likes to describe its digital transformation as open , inclusive , and carrier-neutral . That framing works well in official statements and conference keynotes. On the ground, however, the story feels far less neutral—and far more consequential. By 2025, the UAE is no longer simply building digital infrastructure; it is deciding who gets to compete in the next phase of the Middle East’s digital economy. Carrier-neutral data centres, sovereign AI compute, and hyperscale campuses are quietly reshaping how startups, enterprises, and even governments operate. The promise is efficiency and global relevance. The risk is concentration of power under a new, more sophisticated banner. This tension—between openness and control—is what makes the UAE’s digital transformation both admired and quietly feared across the region. What Is the UAE’s National Digital Transformation Strategy—Really? Officially, the UAE’s digital strategy is about becoming a global technology ...