The Promise and Peril of AI in MENA’s Transregional Future: Solidarity or Further Disparities?

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), artificial intelligence (AI) must be understood as a technology intertwined with political and economic relations, shaping transregional dynamics in ways that may open spaces for collaboration while also risking the deepening of existing divides. This article examines national and regional AI initiatives, such as MENA national AI strategies, to explore their role in impacting transregional connectivity within MENA. Through an analysis of these strategies and projects, the study highlights AI’s potential to either enhance socio-economic integration or exacerbate challenges, such as security risks and economic inequality. The research also investigates disparities in AI adoption between high-income and lower-income MENA countries by emphasizing the need for inclusive policies to bridge the digital divide both within and across national borders. Additionally, it explores the strategic implications of national AI-sector development in Gulf states and its impact on regional power dynamics. By situating MENA’s AI landscape within broader local dynamics and global geopolitical shifts—such as the AI rivalry between China and the US—this article aims to provide insights into how AI can be leveraged to promote transregional cooperation. Such cooperation is essential for ensuring the safe, equitable, and responsible development and application of AI across the region.