Transforming our Region: Future insights - GCC growth and trade, the sustainable ​ consumer and scaling AI

We recently hosted the November edition of our Transforming Our Region webcast, led by Stephen Anderson, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer at PwC Middle East. The session brought together timely insights on the economic and technological forces shaping the region’s next chapter of growth.

Stephen was joined by Richard Boxshall, Global Economics Leader and Middle East Chief Economist, who shared perspectives from our latest Middle East Economy Watch. He explored how shifting trade networks and evolving investment flows are influencing diversification efforts across the region.

Dr. Fatima Koaik, Director of Behavioural Economics and Impact Evaluation at Strategy&, then discussed how sustainability is reshaping consumer behaviour in the GCC. Drawing on insights from more than 2,000 homebuyers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, she highlighted how green features have become the new baseline for residential demand and what this means for the rise of the climate-conscious consumer.

The webcast also featured Ahmad Abu Hantash, Partner and Digital & Cyber Leader at PwC Middle East, who spoke about how organisations are moving from AI ambition to responsible and scalable adoption. He shared practical lessons from PwC’s work on national AI strategies and large-scale transformation programmes, offering guidance on delivering measurable value while embedding trustworthy AI across sectors.