The world is moving rapidly towards a digital-first future where artificial intelligence (AI) becomes the cornerstone of industries around the world.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is already recognised as a hub for technological innovation, and AI is a key part of the country’s plans to diversify its economy.
Several industries have had a glimpse of the vast potential of the tech and are looking for the best ways to incorporate it into their products.
AI has the potential to improve efficiency and reduce cost, and its underlying potential is hard to ignore as it could be the key to unlocking new opportunities.
The tech has the power to drive creativity and economic growth, so it is easy to see why the UAE is determined to explore its endless potential as much as it can.
The Spotlight on Synthetic Media in the UAE’s Media Landscape
Thailand introduced its first AI news anchor, named Natcha, in April. Natcha delivered the evening news sounding natural and using human-like expressions that left viewers bedazzled.
Natcha’s debut gave the world a glimpse into the future of AI-driven synthetic media, and it has been a major talking point since then.
The UAE is looking to follow in Thailand’s footsteps. Media houses have been exploring various tools that can streamline news delivery and give citizens multiple options on how to access such content, and synthetic media could be the answer.
An AI news anchor will be able to switch between multiple languages seamlessly. Viewers would be able to access news content in Arabic, English or other preferred languages.
According to a report by Grand View Research, the AI market in media and entertainment is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 24.2 percent over the next five years.
Synthetic media plays a crucial role in that projection. Its impact has already been felt in the film industry, with AI-driven visual effects (VFX) saving billions of dollars by automating post-production processes.
Incorporating AI into the iGaming Sector
The UAE has been particularly keen on integrating AI into its fast-growing gaming and iGaming sectors.
Abu Dhabi-based Web3 gaming firm GAM3S.GG is one of many companies leading the way by using AI tools to make sure gamers enjoy immersive and interactive games.
Thanks to AI tech, there are numerous games that adapt to player choices and offer real-time narratives and background settings that change depending on a gamer’s in-game decisions.
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a perfect example. AI-generated non-playable characters capable of adapting to a gamer’s responses and decisions were used to make the game more engaging.
The ability to create these lifelike interactions has become a hallmark of modern gaming, and it appeals to all kinds of gamers.
Meanwhile, Live Solutions recently introduced AI presenters into their casino games. These virtual hosts manage game actions and keep players informed just like a live host would.
Given that it has contributed to making the gaming experience more engaging, many of the iGaming sites listed listed on casino.com/ae/en/ are following in their footsteps.
The pros of using AI presenters outweigh the cons in terms of anonymity and privacy, and they are appreciated by casino players who prefer interactions that are not overseen by humans.
AI’s Impact in the Advertising Sector
AI’s widespread impact has also hit the advertising industry in the UAE.
Some of the biggest globally recognised brands are increasingly turning to synthetic media to reduce costs while maintaining high production values.
Coca-Cola is a perfect example. The company used AI tools to shoot a video featuring large red lorries driving through snow-covered streets. This sampled their own 1995 Christmas advert.
However, they did not have to pay for human actors or physical sets or go through the trouble of finding the perfect location for the shoot thanks to AI.
If industry insiders are to be believed, an AI-driven campaign of this nature can save up to 70% in production costs, and brands in the UAE will likely follow this trend.
Virtual influencers are also gaining traction. Lil Miquela is one of the first AI-powered virtual influencers portrayed as a 19-year-old Brazilian-American with a human-like persona and three million followers.
She has already worked on brand deals with major organisations such as Prada, Burberry, Givenchy and Calvin Klein.
Given that these digital personalities never age, require breaks and can be tweaked to meet whatever a client needs, they have become a no-brainer for marketers.
The UAE’s fashion and beauty industries are also leveraging the skills of virtual influencers to reach their tech-savvy audiences, building campaigns that resonate with every type of customer.
