UAE Minister Hosts 80 Global Leaders At ENACT Majlis To Drive AI-Energy-Climate Solutions

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, convened 80 global leaders from energy, technology, climate, and investment fields at a traditional majlis to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI), energy and climate can work together.

The ENACT Majlis aimed to create strategies that strengthen partnerships between technology and energy sectors, helping deliver sustainable energy solutions that can support AI's fast development.

The majlis, rooted in Emirati traditions, provided a space for open and solution-focused discussions. Participants highlighted the economic potential that can be unlocked by working together across these sectors, recognizing the importance of linking energy and AI for shared growth.

"The ENACT Majlis convened the leading minds in energy, technology, and investment to drive opportunities and advance solutions that maximize the transformative potential of AI. The exponential growth of AI is also creating a power surge that no single energy source can meet alone," Al Jaber said, according to WAM.

"The exponential growth of AI is also creating a power surge that no single energy source can meet alone. We need a collaborative and integrated response across all sectors to unlock innovative solutions and fully harness the potential of AI," he added.

The ENACT Majlis laid the groundwork for a new action plan aimed at generating sustainable value across sectors. Participants stressed the importance of increasing and speeding up investments in low-carbon energy solutions. They pointed out that AI data centers are expected to double their energy needs to 150 GW by 2030 and reach 330 GW by 2040, which would require $600 billion in yearly infrastructure investment and the upgrading of 80 million kilometers of power grids by 2040.

Attendees agreed that a mix of energy sources including nuclear, gas and renewables will be essential to meet future demands.

The Majlis was held shortly after ADNOC, Masdar and Microsoft released a report titled "Powering Possible: AI and Energy for a Sustainable Future."

This report, based on insights from over 400 experts in technology, energy, and finance, discusses how AI can improve energy efficiency, manage complex systems, reduce emissions, and help achieve net-zero goals while meeting the increasing energy needs of AI technology.

The ENACT Majlis took place just before ADIPEC 2024, the world's largest energy industry event, which is happening in Abu Dhabi from Nov. 4-7.