Toronto, Canada — In his 2018 book, The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth, American physicist and futurist Michio Kaku argues that humanity holds immense potential for greatness, envisioning a cosmic future that aligns with our intrinsic drive to explore the unknown.
Kaku suggests that if one possesses scientific curiosity, gazing into the night sky often stirs existential questions such as Who am I? He captures this sentiment in his book, writing, “To understand our destiny, we must first understand ourselves.”
This vision aligns with recent developments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where leaders have championed scientific ambition and forward-thinking projects. From the UAE’s HOPE Mars mission to Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city initiatives, the vision of GCC leaders resonates with Kaku’s perspective, embodying a shared commitment to push beyond known boundaries.
During a 60 Minutes interview with CBS, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, was asked why Dubai seeks to build the world’s tallest buildings, finest airline, and best infrastructure. His simple response: “Why not?”
This answer reflects the GCC’s unprecedented resolve to improve the quality of life for its residents, with transformative results evident to the world. In just two decades, countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have achieved global acclaim, hosting international events like the FIFA World Cup, Expo 2020, and COP28 and constructing landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum.
These achievements represent only part of a larger vision for a bright and secure future. According to the GCC-Stat Center’s 2024 report, the GCC’s total population stands at 56.31 million, with 27.65 million citizens and 28.66 million foreign residents, drawing on diverse perspectives and experiences.
The GCC’s ongoing “giga” projects, economic diversification, focus on the digital economy, and emerging technologies all signal a promising future. The UAE, for instance, became the first country to establish a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, while Saudi Arabia launched its National Center for Artificial Intelligence in 2019, later consolidating its data and tech-focused agencies to create the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), which positions the nation to harness vast opportunities within the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
At international forums like the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Milken Institute Global Conference, experts frequently affirm that nations that adopt and implement 4IR fundamentals will gain a substantial competitive edge.
GCC countries, from Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait to high-profile players like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have already taken significant steps to secure their place in the 4IR, a term popularized in 2016 by WEF founder Professor Klaus Schwab.
The 4IR, as Schwab describes, brings rapid technological advancement and the potential to transform industries worldwide. Schwab writes, “Compared with previous industrial revolutions, the Fourth is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace. Moreover, it is disrupting almost every industry in every country. And the breadth and depth of these changes herald the transformation of entire systems of production, management, and governance.
“The possibilities of billions of people connected by mobile devices, with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge, are unlimited. These possibilities will be multiplied by emerging technology breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, 3-D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, energy storage, and quantum computing.”
New technologies, especially AI and machine learning, are democratizing the 4IR, meaning innovations are no longer limited to advanced economies. Emerging markets are now implementing customized solutions that drive rapid transformation. Yet, innovation requires investment, research, and talent, and not all markets can supply this powerful combination. The GCC countries, however, possess both capital and the capacity to attract top global talent.
In fields like space technology, the GCC’s progress is remarkable and often underrecognized. As Michio Kaku posits, space tech is integral to a secure future. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have established space agencies and invested heavily in this niche sector.
In 2020, the UAE became the first Arab country to launch an unmanned Mars mission, with more than 200 Emirati scientists and engineers contributing to the effort. While the project involved international partnerships, the UAE’s rapid growth in space tech from a nearly nonexistent base just a decade earlier is a testament to its determination.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s focus on STEM education is yielding impressive results, particularly for women, who now comprise 38 percent of the country’s STEM graduates. One policy document affirms, “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes the importance of STEM education in transforming the nation’s economy. By prioritizing STEM, the country aims to cultivate a generation of innovators and leaders, ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.”
With over US$2 trillion invested in capital-intensive projects, the GCC’s future looks increasingly secure, despite persistent negative portrayals in parts of the Western media. The path to a promising future for humanity may well pass through the Arabian Gulf, where leaders and residents share the economic stability, social security, and forward-looking vision necessary to effect meaningful, global change.
