RAKEZ empowers RAK businesses to unlock AI potential
Licencing authority's first-of-its-kind partnership to help bridge AI adoption gap
#UAE #AIadoption - Powerhouse business and industrial hub Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has formed a first-of-its-kind partnership with business artificial intelligence consulting firm Koshima to support its registered businesses with practical AI advice and capabilities. A unique initiative among UAE licencing authorities, the partnership aims to help UAE businesses increase operational efficiency, optimise costs, and drive business growth through role-specific AI training and consulting services. The United Arab Emirates is well-positioned to harness the benefits of AI, which is projected to contribute 14% to the UAE's GDP by 2030, representing approximately $100 billion according to research from PwC.
SO WHAT? - The RAKEZ-Koshima partnership directly addresses a critical implementation gap in AI adoption. Recent research from management consulting firm Deloitte and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) reveals that while over 80% of organisations feel pressured to adopt AI, almost half lack the necessary talent and technology capabilities for successful scaling. By providing immediate access to practical, certified AI training tailored to specific business functions, RAKEZ has taken the first step to support its 30,000 member companies in overcoming barriers to AI adoption and capitalising on AI's potential.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and UAE-based consulting firm Koshima have signed a partnership agreement, under which Koshima will provide services to RAKEZ and make AI consulting services available to the free zone’s registered companies. The partnership agreement is the first-of-its-kind for a UAE licensing authority.
RAKEZ registered a 66% growth in company registrations during 2024, bringing the total number of RAKEZ-registered businesses to nearly 30,000.
Koshima, which has been working directly with the free zone authority since last year, focuses on helping companies bridge the gap between traditional AI training and real-world application.
According to RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad, the new partnership aligns with the economic zone's strategic vision of fostering innovation and driving digital transformation among its business community.
The collaboration will provide customised AI enablement workshops for RAKEZ clients tailored to specific roles, tasks and activities within businesses, ensuring participants apply AI skills immediately to deliver tangible value.
Such collaborations could represent a pragmatic solution to AI's ‘last mile’ problem, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical potential and practical business value for more companies in the UAE.
ZOOM OUT - On the whole, Middle Eastern CEOs now seem to be embracing AI more aggressively than their global counterparts. According to PwC's 28th Annual CEO Survey, 93% of GCC CEOs anticipate systematic AI integration within three years, significantly outpacing the global average of 78%. While trust remains a significant hurdle to global adoption, this government-led confidence has translated into remarkable private sector optimism, with 70% of GCC CEOs believing generative AI will increase profitability within just 12 months. However, many AI projects remain ‘on the drawing board’ as corporate plans are held back by lack of expertise and experience to take the practical steps required to implement AI.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read about research on AI adoption:
GCC CEOs see AI as key to growth - survey (Middle East AI News)
Emerging markets' AI readiness still lag behind (Middle East AI News)