Saudi Arabia and the UAE have ranked 7th and 9th globally in the 2026 Global AI for Finance Index, reflecting growing AI adoption in regulated financial systems.
HONG KONG: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have secured the 7th and 9th positions respectively in the 2026 Global AI for Finance Competitiveness Index (GAICI) released by Deep Knowledge Group, with the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council acting as observer. The index benchmarks 20 countries and 15 global finance hubs for their maturity in deploying artificial intelligence within regulated financial systems.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the Gulf’s fastest-scaling contender, backed by major state-led investments and a focus on integrating AI into financial infrastructure. The Kingdom’s 7th-place global ranking reflects institutional commitment and infrastructure development, positioning it as a future-shaping player in AI-driven finance across the region.
The UAE, ranked 9th globally, distinguished itself by turning AI capability into operational systems. The country’s ability to rapidly implement AI across financial markets, paired with a strong regulatory framework, makes it a model for applied innovation. As a financial “system builder,” the UAE leads through speed of execution, institutional alignment, and strategic foresight.
Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner at Deep Knowledge Group, said, “Saudi Arabia’s rapid scaling in AI-driven finance is a testament to its strategic vision. The UAE’s ranking reflects its global leadership in deploying AI solutions that meet the demands of regulated markets.”
The top five in the index were led by the United States, China, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Singapore, which showed strong institutional environments and large-scale AI adoption. The city-level rankings placed New York, London, and Hong Kong at the top, reinforcing their roles as financial hubs for AI innovation.
The index noted a strategic shift: AI in finance is no longer a novelty, but core infrastructure. Competitive advantage now lies in deployment readiness, governance, auditability, and repeatable integration into real-world financial systems.
