Author Description

This book presents the first broad reflection on the challenges, opportunities, and implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Unique results and insights are derived through case studies from diverse disciplines, including engineering, economics, data science, policy-making, governance, and humanscience. Particularly related to these 'softer' disciplines, we make some unexplored yet topical contributions to the literature, with a focus on the GCC (but by no means limited to it), including AI and implications for women, Islamic schools of thought on AI, and the power of AI to help deliver wellbeing and happiness in cities and urban spaces. Finally, the readers are provided with a synthesis of ideas, lessons learned, and a path forward based on the diverse content of the chapters. The book caters to the educated non specialist with interest in AI, targeting a wide audience including professionals, academics, government officials, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and non-governmental organizations. Elie Azar is an Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering atKhalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, UAE. His research on data-driven methods to improve the built environment's performance is frequently featured in leading peer-reviewed journals and conferences, earninghim multiple academic awards and distinctions. Elie is also the author of books on Sustainability and Smart Cities in the Gulf. Anthony N. Haddad is Senior Manager for Pan-MENA Initiatives at Amazon. Anthony's work at Amazon is focused on building scalable logistics and retail products and services in the cross-border ecommerce space, including new country expansions. Previously, Anthony worked in strategy management consulting in the GCC, advising clients across government, telecommunications and national education systems.