At Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026, global leaders gathered to spotlight a pivotal insight shaping the future of technology and infrastructure: artificial intelligence cannot scale without energy.
In a keynote address during the summit, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of Masdar and ADNOC, emphasised the fundamental relationship between AI and energy. “There is no artificial intelligence without actual energy,” he said, underlining that computational power and advanced technologies depend on an abundant, reliable energy supply.
AI meets energy reality
Dr Al Jaber framed the emerging global economy not just as digital-first, but energy-enabled. He noted that future growth will be dictated by the capacity to power data centres, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation technologies across sectors. With global energy demand rising alongside AI deployment, countries and companies must balance innovation with practical energy solutions.
The UAE’s strategy reflects this reality. Rather than viewing traditional hydrocarbons and renewable energy as competing forces, the nation is integrating them into a comprehensive energy ecosystem that supports robust AI infrastructure. Over 70 % of future energy needs are expected to still come from hydrocarbons, a reality the UAE sees as an opportunity to catalyse transition and innovation.
A platform for global collaboration
Partnership and long-term planning were strong themes at ADSW. The UAE presented itself as a collaborative platform for global investors, tech firms, and energy companies looking to build energy-intensive computing and manufacturing capacities with certainty and stability.
Under the broader ADSW theme of “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” delegates from governments, industry and finance sectors engaged in discussions on sustainable solutions, clean technologies, and collaborative frameworks to advance both energy security and digital transformation.
Complementing these discussions, the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize highlighted global innovations tackling real-world challenges—from AI applications in childhood development to climate-smart housing—showcasing how technology and sustainability can deliver measurable impact at scale.
The UAE’s message at ADSW 2026 was clear: as the world accelerates toward an AI-driven economy, energy supply and sustainability must evolve in lockstep. Strategic planning, cross-sector partnerships, and integrated energy systems are central to powering that future.
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