Data Insights by Shahzad Asghar

Bridging the Digital Gap

AI Readiness Across Arab Nations

Leaders (≥0.50)
Transitioning (0.37-0.50)
Emerging (<0.37)
Countries Analyzed22
Regional Average0.384
Top Performer🇦🇪 United(0.63)
Leaders5 countries
Transitioning7 countries
Need Support10 countries

Top Performers

AI Preparedness Score Progress

🇦🇪 United Arab EmiratesGCC
On Track63%
🇸🇦 Saudi ArabiaGCC
On Track58%
🇶🇦 QatarGCC
Moderate54%
🇴🇲 OmanGCC
Moderate53%
🇧🇭 BahrainGCC
Moderate52%
🇯🇴 JordanLevant
Moderate48%
On Track
Moderate
Needs Attention

Pillar Analysis

Regional Average by Dimension

Infrastructure

Connectivity, broadband, mobile networks

Avg: 41%
Max: 72%
Human Capital

Education, skills, STEM workforce

Avg: 41%
Max: 65%
Innovation

R&D, patents, tech startups

Avg: 32%
Max: 58%
Regulation

AI policies, data governance

Avg: 38%
Max: 58%
38%
Overall Avg
41%
Strongest Pillar

Country Rankings

0.000.250.500.751.00🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia🇶🇦 Qatar🇴🇲 Oman🇧🇭 Bahrain🇯🇴 Jordan🇹🇳 Tunisia🇰🇼 Kuwait🇲🇦 Morocco🇱🇧 Lebanon🇪🇬 Egypt🇩🇿 Algeria🇵🇸 Palestine🇩🇯 Djibouti🇸🇾 Syria🇮🇶 Iraq🇰🇲 Comoros🇾🇪 Yemen🇱🇾 Libya🇸🇩 Sudan🇲🇷 Mauritania🇸🇴 Somalia
Leader (≥0.50)
Transitioning (0.37-0.50)
Emerging (<0.37)

Pillar Comparison

Select up to 4 countries

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇲🇦 Morocco
InfrastructureHuman CapitalInnovationRegulation0.00.30.50.81.0
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Egypt
  • Morocco
Infrastructure:Connectivity, broadband, mobile networks
Human Capital:Education, skills, STEM workforce
Innovation:R&D, patents, tech startups
Regulation:AI policies, data governance

Regional Deep Dive

Click a region to see all countries

RegionAvg ScoreDigitalHumanInnovationRegulation
GCC(6 countries)
0.540.610.540.480.53
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates0.630.720.650.580.56
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia0.580.660.550.520.58
🇶🇦 Qatar0.540.620.540.480.51
🇴🇲 Oman0.530.580.520.460.55
🇧🇭 Bahrain0.520.560.510.450.52
🇰🇼 Kuwait0.460.520.480.380.47
North Africa(5 countries)
0.380.400.410.330.37
Levant(5 countries)
0.360.360.410.290.36
Other Arab(6 countries)
0.250.270.270.190.27
Leader (≥0.60)
Transitioning (0.50-0.60)
Lagging (≤0.37)

Methodology

The AI Preparedness Index evaluates countries across four pillars: Digital Infrastructure, Human Capital, Innovation Ecosystem, and Regulatory Framework. Scores range from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating greater AI readiness.

Data Source: IMF AI Preparedness Index 2023

©IMF, 2025 • Visualization created for educational purposes

Developed & Designed byShahzad ASGHAR