Artificial Intelligence (AI) could unlock more than $1 trillion across the Middle East by 2030, including $200 billion through sustainable finance and $370 billion through public investment, a new World Economic Forum report says.

A second report projects that the region could connect new data centres to the grid within two to five years, faster than mature markets, but effectively managing rising energy and water risks will be key to scaling sustainably.

Together, the new reports set out the investment, infrastructure and governance priorities needed to turn AI and data centre expansion into resilient regional growth.

However, the region’s strong potential to scale AI will depend on faster grid connections and effective management of rising energy and water demands, according to the reports.

Unlocking Value: AI for Resilient Growth in MENA estimates that AI could unlock more than $1 trillion in economic and sustainability value in the region by 2030. This includes $200 billion in sustainable financing through the financial sector, $370 billion in sustainable investment flows enabled by the public sector, $250 billion in long-term asset losses avoided, $90 billion in increased valuation through improved sustainability performance for the energy sector and $100 billion in sustainable projects launched through cross-sector partnerships.