Source: Politico

Iran’s accelerating efforts in artificial intelligence are causing concern among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, who see Iran as a disruptive competitor in the region’s AI race. While the Gulf nations have invested heavily in AI, digital infrastructure, and global partnerships, Iran’s progress threatens their dominance and forces them to rethink both economic and security strategies.

Iran’s approach involves significant investment in AI research, local talent development, and efforts to sidestep Western sanctions by fostering domestic innovation. The article notes that Iran’s government aims to use AI for economic growth, surveillance, and regional influence, prompting GCC countries to speed up their own technology initiatives.

The intensifying rivalry is raising the stakes for digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and regulatory frameworks in the Middle East. The article concludes that the regional AI competition will have wide-reaching implications, not just for economic development, but also for geopolitics, cross-border regulations, and the future of digital governance in the Gulf and beyond.