Mubadala Bets Big on AI and Robotics for Industrial Growth

Mubadala sharpens its focus on AI and robotics, targeting industrial growth, manufacturing productivity, and next-generation technology investments.

Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala is stepping up its focus on artificial intelligence and robotics, positioning the technologies as core drivers of future industrial growth and long-term investment strategy, according to its group chief executive.

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Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said Mubadala is increasingly interested in the convergence of AI and robotics and the impact this intersection could have on manufacturing, industrial productivity, and global supply chains.

“What I’m very interested in at the moment is the intersection between AI and robotics and how robotics, once that kicks in, is going to impact manufacturing and industry,” Al Mubarak said during a panel discussion.

Mubadala, which manages around $330 billion in assets, has steadily expanded its exposure to technology over recent years. Its portfolio includes investments across semiconductors, data centers, and AI-related infrastructure, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s broader push to build strategic capabilities in advanced technologies.

Al Mubarak noted that the pace of technological change is also reshaping how long-term investors think about time horizons. “We used to look at a 10-year perspective in the good old days,” he said. “I think now, with AI, even five years is hard.”

Beyond robotics and AI, Mubadala is prioritizing life sciences, healthcare, and biotechnology, sectors the fund expects to undergo significant transformation as AI tools are increasingly embedded in research, diagnostics, and drug development.

The fund is also preparing for a new phase of expansion in Africa, Al Mubarak said, signaling continued interest in emerging markets alongside its technology-focused strategy.

Mubadala’s evolving investment priorities underline how sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf are repositioning their portfolios to capture growth from next-generation technologies, while balancing long-term capital deployment with faster-moving innovation cycles.

Why Mubadala Matters to MENA

Mubadala’s push into AI and robotics signals a broader shift across the Gulf toward advanced industrial technologies that can reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. For MENA, it reinforces the region’s ambition to become a global hub for smart manufacturing, AI-driven productivity, and capital-intensive innovation, while accelerating technology transfer, job creation, and industrial competitiveness.