The AI storyline is all about competition. Now a radical new approach is emerging: collaboration.

By Xische Editorial, September 14, 2019

With trade wars ramping up across the global and protectionist economic policies on the rise, the notion of collaboration is under threat. This is especially apparent in western trade relations as the United States and the United Kingdom have pushed through a slew of trade modifications that could dismantle decades of trade diplomacy (looking at Brexit and the demise of the eurozone). Similar threats are popping up for the realm of technology collaboration around the globe. 

Consider data privacy regulation. We have written about the divergent and fragmented nature of the internet in this regard. At the time we were focused on data regulation and competing models between China, the West, and everyone else. In China, we argued, the internet is tightly regulated by the government, which translates to greater controls but better user protections. In the West, governments exercise less control but the lack of regulations have left consumers facing serious data privacy challenges. Finally, there is a third axis taken by smaller countries that blend more regulation with an open internet where innovation can thrive. 

Beyond regulation, specific fields of technology are under threat as a result of the trade tensions described above. This is extremely worrying as humanity is collectively transforming tech as we know. Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other future industries will have immeasurable impact on humanity in the decades to come. But where is the collaboration? How can “humanity” take advantage of these incredible innovations when various countries and markets are developing unevenly and the fruits of the advancements are not shared across the world? 

The self-interest of nations will also be a feature of technology. This is clear in the race between the United States and China regarding AI and 5G technologies. But this natural part of the international order shouldn’t stop more countries from collaborating on projects that can change the world. In fact, there are some countries that view collaboration as a key to future progress and a necessary component of sustainable knowledge-based economies. 

Consider Singapore. Minister for Communications and Information, S. Iswaran told Bloomberg last week that businesses and countries need to continue collaborating to drive the development of artificial intelligence. “Even with the tensions today, what we are seeing is at the company level, there are partnerships taking place,” Iswaran said. “We see American companies, Chinese companies, European companies focused on this space coming to Singapore.”

The minister went on to say that Singapore places great value on collaboration because “we're at the beginning of a revolution” typified by technological change that will enhance existing work practices while creating new jobs and getting rid of ones at odds with new work systems. 

Singapore is one of a handful of smaller countries that are investing in future industries. The UAE and Estonia share similar views on the necessity of  knowledge-based economic infrastructure. In a world dominated by AI and blockchain platforms, those with the best infrastructure will attract the right talent and remain ahead of the curve. Planning for this future starts today with tactical investments in education along with the creation of knowledge ecosystems that groom the best talent. In this regard, the UAE has a slight edge over Estonia and even Singapore. 

At the nexus of East and West, 80 percent of humanity lives within an eight hour flight from Dubai. That means the best startups from Kigali to Bangkok can be brought to Dubai to set up shop and help grow the organic knowledge ecosystem. Dubai is already home to the two largest ever tech acquisitions in the Middle East: Careem and Souq.com. 

With its demonstrated commitment to blockchain and AI at the governmental level, the UAE is creating the right conditions through practical investment to attract the best talent from around the emerging world. While trade wars might be tearing traditional alliances apart, in the emerging world new alliances are cropping up in every corner. 

If you are a tech entrepreneur in Nigeria, South Africa, Kazakhstan or Thailand, the chances are that you are already doing some type of business in the UAE. This trend will only continue as more unicorns like Careem come out of the Dubai ecosystem. Put simply, the UAE is able to bring many different people and companies together to work out solutions for future industries. 

Just as the Singaporean Minister for Communications and Information notes, it is through collaboration that the next great innovation in fields like AI will arise. As we have said before, keep your eye on the smaller states as they are making big moves to lead the next chapter in the global tech economy.