Inside AI71: How the UAE Is Building a Global AI Powerhouse | An Interview with AI71

In this exclusive sit down with Chiara Marcati, Chief AI Advisory and Business Officer at AI71, we explore how the UAE is transforming its ambition into a real knowledge-driven economy by building full-stack AI capabilities, starting from data centers and compute layers all the way to advanced AI applications. Marcati explains why AI71 was created as the commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi’s advanced research ecosystem, the meaning behind its name, and the national vision to become a global AI contributor. She outlines the five major challenges slowing enterprise AI adoption, clarifies the concept of agentic AI, and highlights how organizations can protect their data through layered security and responsible AI frameworks. Marcati also reflects on the UAE’s rapid rise in global compute capacity and the growing interest from international companies, signaling the country’s accelerating influence in the worldwide AI landscape.