The global AI race is raging on, with the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom emerging as the clear top three leaders in data center capacity and AI infrastructure deployment (excluding China). It’s a contest measured in megawatts and square footage that translates directly into significant economic upside.
According to PwC, the global march toward an AI and data-driven economy is expected to unlock nearly $15.7 trillion in additional GDP by 2030 – a massive scale that effectively makes it one of the largest four economies on the planet.

Saudi Arabia and Dubai lead the world in AI and data sovereignty commitment.

But when it comes to AI and data sovereignty, infrastructure build tells only part of the story. Especially in this landscape where competitive positions can shift dramatically, the fundamental question is whether leaders have the intent and commitment that matches or even exceeds their infrastructure investments. Take Saudi Arabia and Dubai: they lead all countries on measures of leadership conviction around sovereign AI and data. While the UK, despite being the third largest data center power, ranks only ninth.
These are just some of the most salient findings from EDB’s 2025 study that surveyed 2,050 enterprise leaders across 13 economies on three key drivers for enterprise success over the next three years:
  • Belief in the mission-criticality of integrating AI and data
  • Commitment to sovereignty over their AI and data
  • Intent to become their own AI and data platforms

Saudi Arabia and Dubai are Becoming a Sovereign Hub

In AI and data measures, Saudi Arabia and Dubai are among the top-performing geographies globally. It is an exceptional level of deep commitment that can attract even more to jump on board and create an ecosystem where like-minded leaders collaborate, exchange ideas, and accelerate their journey to AI and data sovereignty. Such concentration of sovereignty-focused enterprises is a magnet for investment, and the “sovereign hub” that’s rapidly forming in this region is well positioned to capture a larger share of the $15.7 trillion global economic opportunity.
“Saudi and Dubai aren’t just playing catch-up—they’re shaping a new category of digital leadership where sovereignty is the cornerstone,” said Kash Rafique, General Manager, Middle East, Africa at EDB. “This isn't just infrastructure buildout. It's a mindset and strategy shift that others are now racing to keep up with.”
The commitment gap that defines the next three years.
Enterprise leaders in Saudi Arabia and Dubai are nearly twice as likely as their UK peers to recognize the existential need and opportunity to have sovereign control of their AI and data. In EDB’s research, Saudi Arabia and Dubai scored 135, compared to 75 for the UK, with the US at 111 and regions like Singapore at 124. However, these commitment gaps could narrow quickly, given how rapidly leadership attitudes and investment priorities are shifting in many of these countries.

A window of opportunity—but it’s closing fast

Saudi Arabia and Dubai are clearly leading the pack when it comes to understanding the mission-criticality of integrating AI and data, and ensuring sovereignty over that integration. Yet they lag in a critical third area that is integral to these drivers of success: building and owning their own AI and data platforms, where Saudi Arabia and Dubai only rank fifth in perceived commitment in three years’ time.
“Sovereignty without ownership is only half the equation,” said Rafique. “To secure their leadership, enterprises must not only demand sovereignty—they must design, build, and operate AI and data platforms on their own terms.”
While governments in this region are making bold moves, such as Saudi Arabia’s launch of its own AI company Humain dedicated to building foundational AI models and sovereign data platforms, local enterprises have not matched this level of ambition.
For Saudi and Dubai leaders who see themselves as visionaries in AI and data sovereignty, closing this gap is critical to maintaining their lead and realizing the economic returns on their commitment. The clock is ticking: in three years, 90% of enterprises globally will have their own AI and data platforms.