'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAHxAAAgEEAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQFEQYSITFB/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgP/xAAbEQEBAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQADEiHw8f/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AyDk2EQ43EQ5GW3hms42geSNCTIgdQGGlHnVuw379B15UOUcXSV0it7h41JCs8pDEfhOl1ulKGyg3ty7qR5B8z//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kevin O'Leary remarked in a recent Instagram post:
"Everyone's talking politics, but here's what really matters: the Middle East is now ground zero for AI innovation. The UAE is already #3 globally. I just got back from Abu Dhabi and saw a fully AI-powered real estate project — we have nothing like it here. I even had a medical procedure the FDA won't allow yet. I filtered my blood, oxygenated it, and pumped in 50 billion exosomes. I walked out feeling like I was 18 again. That's the level they're operating on."
The Shark Tank investor's comments highlight the growing AI rivalry between Western nations and Middle Eastern countries. Kevin O'Leary's firsthand account of the UAE's technological prowess comes amid major AI developments in the region.
O'Leary, known for his blunt business assessments and media presence, isn't just talking about the UAE's advances, he's experiencing them personally, as evidenced by his description of an innovative medical treatment unavailable in America.
This statement from Kevin O'Leary arrives as Gulf nations cement their position in the global AI landscape through massive investments and partnerships with tech giants. The timing is particularly noteworthy as President Trump's recent Middle East tour secured $600 billion in commitments from Saudi Arabia to American companies.
The Middle East’s AI growth and Kevin O'Leary’s perspective
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are rapidly transforming into AI hubs through strategic investments and partnerships. During Trump's Gulf tour, numerous tech firms announced major AI deals in the region.
Nvidia revealed plans to sell "hundreds of thousands" of AI chips to Saudi Arabia, with 18,000 of its newest "Blackwell" chips destined for Humain, an AI startup launched by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.
"Together, we are building a globally significant AI platform that delivers performance, openness and reach at unprecedented levels," said AMD CEO Lisa Su, whose company formed a $10 billion collaboration with Humain.
Kevin O'Leary's interest in the region isn't merely observational. His company, O'Leary Ventures, announced plans to build "Wonder Valley" – potentially the world's largest AI data center complex requiring $70 billion in investment – in Alberta, Canada.
The businessman's comparison between Middle Eastern and Western AI capabilities reflects his characteristic directness. By sharing his experience with cutting-edge medical technology unavailable in America, O'Leary emphasizes the innovation gap he perceives.
Implications for global competition
The rapid AI advancement in the Middle East signals a shifting technological landscape. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched Humain specifically to develop and manage AI technologies, aiming to establish the kingdom as "a global leader in AI, GPU cloud computing and digital transformation."
These developments create new competitive dynamics. The White House reports Saudi firm DataVolt will invest $20 billion in AI data centers and infrastructure in the United States, demonstrating the two-way flow of technological exchange.
Kevin O'Leary's observation that "the Middle East is now ground zero for AI innovation" captures the essence of this transition. As these partnerships develop, they may fundamentally reshape who leads the next generation of AI breakthroughs.
Trending
Shark Tank airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams next day on Hulu.
Reply
