Why should you learn AI programming? And what is the best way to do it?


Artificial Intelligence Investments: A Global Overview

Massive Investments in AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a major focus for global investments. The United States has committed $500 billion, the European Union €200 billion, and Saudi Arabia 40 billion riyals to AI development. These investments are massive and rival the GDP of entire nations.

In addition to government funding, tech companies are also heavily investing in AI. These corporations are driving innovation and expanding AI integration across multiple sectors. Some are even considering reactivating nuclear reactors to meet their increased energy demands.


Why Should We Learn Artificial Intelligence?

AI is not just a passing trend. It is reshaping how we live and work. AI’s influence spans numerous fields, including writing, linguistics, and communication. AI models like ChatGPT predict the next word and link words together to understand context. You can see this when using AI for text translation.

AI is also making significant contributions to scientific achievements. For instance, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2024 was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis (CEO of Google DeepMind), and John Jumper (chief researcher at DeepMind) for their work with the AlphaFold model. AlphaFold solved the long-standing challenge of predicting protein structures.


AI’s Role in Medicine

AI is revolutionizing the medical field. It can diagnose diseases with accuracy that often exceeds that of specialized doctors. While AI will not replace human doctors, it can help with repetitive tasks. For example, AI can analyze medical images or extract relevant data for doctors, allowing them to focus on more complex aspects of patient care.


Economic Impact of AI

According to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), AI’s global economic contribution is expected to reach $15.7 trillion by 2030. To put this into perspective, the global oil market is valued at $5 trillion. Nvidia, a leader in AI technology, has a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. AI’s projected impact is five times that of the oil market.


AI in the Arab World

The Arab world has been slower in adopting AI compared to other regions. However, this presents an opportunity for the region to develop its own AI experts. There is a need for AI models that understand Arab culture and language. In particular, AI systems need to address biases, such as those seen in the context of the Palestinian issue.


Investment in AI in the Arab World

The Arab world presents substantial opportunities for AI investment. Several startups are already making progress. For example, the Egyptian startup WideBot raised $3 million at the LEAP 2025 conference. Saudi Arabia has announced $10.9 billion in AI investments, while the UAE has invested $30–50 million in Mistral AI, a French company developing AI models for the Middle East and South Asia.


The Demand for Skilled AI Engineers

With the growing investment in AI, the demand for skilled engineers is increasing. AI engineers are in high demand, and their salaries reflect this. Now is a great time to invest in learning AI and pursuing a career in this field.


How to Start Learning AI

Mathematics plays a key role in learning AI, but it’s not a barrier. Even if you struggled with traditional math education, you can still pursue AI. Mathematics helps with understanding algorithms and machine learning models. It also teaches logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

A great resource for beginners is the 3b1b YouTube channel. This channel provides visual explanations of complex concepts, such as calculus, linear algebra, and neural networks. However, you will still need to dedicate time and effort to study these concepts thoroughly.

Additionally, understanding how computers process information will be important as you dive deeper into AI. AI is about more than just mastering the tools—it’s about grasping the underlying principles.


Conclusion: The Future of AI

AI is transforming industries globally. Major investments in AI research show that both governments and companies are eager to capitalize on its potential. For those in the Arab world, there are many opportunities to contribute to this growing field, whether by developing region-specific models or becoming part of the AI engineering workforce. Consistency and dedication are key to thriving in this field. If you are ready to commit to continuous learning, AI offers a wealth of opportunities for the future.


Sources:

  • Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Report on AI Impact
  • LEAP 2025 Conference
  • Official Reports on AI Investment in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
  • 3b1b YouTube Channel by Grant Sanderson