Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from an emerging technology into a core component of national economic competitiveness, increasing the importance of the infrastructure required to develop, deploy and scale AI systems.
This transformation was explored at AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai during the Digital Economy Leaders’ Panel: “Scaling Strategic Infrastructure Investments in AI to Build Digital Economies – Data, Chips, Energy and Global Competitiveness.”
The panel examined the infrastructure behind the AI economy, including compute capacity, semiconductors, data centres, energy systems and cloud infrastructure, while exploring how governments and private investors can work together to develop resilient digital ecosystems.
The session brought together Faisal Hamady, Managing Director & Partner at The Boston Consulting Group International, Inc.; Seferino Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa; Gevorg Mantashyan, First Deputy Minister at the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia; Ceferino Rodolfo, Undersecretary at the Department of Trade and Industry; Fei Wu, Chairman of DDI (DaoDe Investment); and Ashish Koshy, CEO of Inception42.
AI Infrastructure Becomes Strategic Infrastructure
The rapid expansion of AI is creating demand for infrastructure on a scale that extends well beyond software development.
Advanced AI applications require significant computing power, specialised chips, large-scale data storage and reliable energy. Data centres and cloud platforms have consequently become increasingly important components of national digital strategies.
Investment in these areas can support not only AI companies but also wider digital transformation across government, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, logistics and other industries.
As countries seek to strengthen their digital economies, access to reliable and scalable infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important competitive advantage.
The Growing Importance of Semiconductors
Semiconductors are at the centre of the global technology ecosystem.
AI systems depend on advanced processors and specialised computing hardware, making semiconductor supply chains strategically important for governments and businesses.
Investment in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, research and development and supporting industrial ecosystems can create opportunities to strengthen technology capabilities while supporting high-value manufacturing.
The panel’s focus on chips reflected the wider shift towards developing more resilient technology supply chains and expanding access to critical components.
Compute Capacity and the AI Economy
Computing capacity is another fundamental requirement for AI development.
Training and running advanced AI models requires powerful computing infrastructure, while businesses increasingly need access to scalable computing resources to integrate AI into their operations.
This is creating opportunities for investment in data centres, cloud infrastructure, high-performance computing and specialised AI systems.
Countries that develop sufficient compute capacity can support domestic innovation while providing infrastructure for international technology companies and researchers.
Energy and Digital Growth
The relationship between AI and energy is becoming increasingly important.
Large data centres require reliable electricity, and the continued expansion of AI will increase demand for energy-efficient computing and resilient power systems.
This creates opportunities at the intersection of technology and energy investment.
Developing modern power infrastructure alongside data-centre capacity can support digital growth while encouraging greater attention to energy efficiency, renewable generation and sustainable infrastructure.
The combination of digital and energy investment can therefore become an important part of long-term economic planning.
Governments and Private Capital
Scaling AI infrastructure requires substantial investment, creating a strong role for cooperation between governments and private capital.
Governments can establish policies, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure strategies that encourage investment, while institutional investors and technology companies can provide capital, expertise and operational capabilities.
Public-private partnerships can help accelerate the development of AI-ready infrastructure and create environments in which technology businesses can scale.
This collaborative approach also allows countries to align digital infrastructure development with broader economic and industrial strategies.
AI Supply Chains and Global Competitiveness
The development of AI is increasingly connected to international supply chains.
Chips, computing systems, cloud infrastructure, data and energy all form part of an interconnected ecosystem. Strengthening these capabilities can therefore support greater economic resilience.
For emerging economies, participation in AI supply chains can create new opportunities in technology services, manufacturing, research, digital infrastructure and advanced industries.
Rather than viewing AI solely as a software opportunity, countries can consider the wider ecosystem surrounding the technology and identify areas where they can develop competitive capabilities.
Opportunities for Emerging Economies
The AI infrastructure expansion also creates opportunities for countries seeking to accelerate economic diversification.
Investment in digital infrastructure can provide a foundation for technology companies, startups and knowledge-intensive industries.
Advanced manufacturing, cloud services, data management, telecommunications and AI applications can generate new economic activity while supporting existing industries.
For countries with developing digital ecosystems, partnerships with international technology companies and investors can help accelerate access to expertise, infrastructure and capital.
Building Future-Ready Digital Economies
The panel highlighted the scale of the transformation taking place around AI infrastructure.
The next generation of digital economies will depend on an ecosystem that combines data, chips, compute, energy, cloud systems, skilled talent and investment.
Building this ecosystem requires long-term planning and collaboration across governments, businesses, investors and technology institutions.
AIM Congress 2026 provided an international platform for examining these developments and identifying opportunities for investment and cooperation.
A New Infrastructure Investment Cycle
The expansion of AI is opening a new investment cycle centred on the physical and digital foundations of the technology.
Data centres, semiconductor ecosystems, energy systems, cloud infrastructure and advanced manufacturing are becoming increasingly important areas for economic development and investment.
For governments, the opportunity lies in creating competitive environments that attract capital and encourage innovation. For investors, the growing demand for AI infrastructure creates opportunities across multiple interconnected sectors.
As AI continues to influence industries and economies worldwide, the countries capable of building strong, reliable and scalable digital infrastructure will be well positioned to participate in the next phase of global economic growth.
At AIM Congress 2026, the discussion reinforced a positive outlook for this transformation: AI is not only creating new digital products and services, but also driving investment in the infrastructure that can power the economies of the future.
