By Mohamad Rizk, Regional Director for the Middle East & CIS at Veeam Software
Anticipating the trajectory of technological developments is crucial for organisations navigating the ever-changing landscape of the Middle East. In this forecast for 2024, key insights shed light on the technological future of the region. From the continued proliferation of traditional Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the rise of Hybrid Cloud solutions and the enduring prominence of Cybersecurity, these predictions offer a glimpse into the forthcoming technological landscape in the Middle East.
- Traditional Artificial Intelligence (AI) is there to grow
Right now, traditional AI, also called Weak AI or Narrow AI, is everywhere. It is automating industries, reshaping the retail business and consumer behavior, and a lot more. In 2024, public and private sectors in the Middle East will continue to introduce AI to their digital services. For example: AI in cybersecurity, AI to predict real-time payment scams, face recognition, etc.
- Hybrid Cloud will become the norm
Reducing CAPEX objectives, cybersecurity concerns, smart city projects, and governmental initiatives have led to an increase in the number of local cloud providers in the Middle East. Furthermore, 2023 saw many hyperscalers opening their local datacentres in multiple countries in the region such as UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. Therefore, in 2024, we will see more digital services for government and private sector organisations running in hybrid clouds.
- Cybersecurityis already the #1 priority and will remain #1
In 2024, Cybersecurity will stay the top concern for organisations in the Middle East since ransomware attacks delay and impact their digital transformation objectives. 85% of UAE and Saudi Arabia organisations were subject to at least one ransomware attack in the last 12 months according to data from the Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2023. Therefore, in 2024, organisations will invest more in cybersecurity, especially in data backup and recovery such as zero trust policies, AI-powered and built-in malware detection, and point-in-time recovery.
- Data breaches due to generative AI will be controlled
Right now, most countries in the Middle East do not have clear legalisations for using generative AI tools which puts all organisations and individuals at risk of breaching privacy regulations. Furthermore, the laws are incredibly vague at the moment leaving them open for misinterpretation and misuse. In 2024, it is expected that the efforts for regulatory entities in the Middle East will be focused on regulating the usage of data in autonomous and semi-autonomous systems.
Looking ahead to 2024, the technology predictions for the Middle East underscore the region’s commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation. The expansion of traditional Artificial Intelligence applications, the growing adoption of Hybrid Cloud solutions, and the sustained emphasis on Cybersecurity showcase a tech-savvy landscape poised to address both challenges and opportunities. As the region navigates the digital future, these insights provide valuable guideposts for organisations aiming to leverage emerging technologies while fortifying their digital infrastructure against evolving threats.
