Ep.42 - Is the Middle East Ready for the AI Wave? ft. Yousuf Al-Bulushi, Muscat Policy Council

Ep.42 - Is the Middle East Ready for the AI Wave? ft. Yousuf Al-Bulushi, Muscat Policy Council

Author: Anirudh Suri January 11, 2026 Duration: 1:10:21

Can the Middle East build an AI-powered future while the region remains unstable?In this episode of The Great Tech Game, we sit down with Dr. Yusuf Al-Bulushi, Chairman of the Muscat Policy Council, for a deep dive on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, the diversification strategies of the GCC countries and India-Oman ties. From regional conflict and reconciliation to AI, digital sovereignty, and energy security, this episode unpacks how Gulf states are positioning themselves in AI wave.🎯 In this conversation, we explore:

  • The new AI Great Game: data centers, subsea cables, and the hidden infrastructure shaping power
  • The positive competition within the GCC—and how cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Muscat are attempting to diversify beyond oil
  • What digital sovereignty really means—and why it’s something to be managed, not “solved”
  • The strategic importance of the India–Oman partnership, maritime security, and the blue economy

What are Oman's greatest strengths and weaknesses?Dr. Al-Bulushi also shares insights from his personal journey building Oman’s first “think-and-do tank,” and why ideas, institutions, and infrastructure matter as much as capital. Tune in soon for this episode.🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now—only on The Great Tech Game Podcast.-----Host of the Podcast, Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin:   / anirudhsuri  Instagram:   / anirudh_suri  Facebook:   / anirudhsuri.in  Website: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)#tgtgpodcast #thegreattechgame #anirudhsuri #middleeastcrisis #ai #aiimpact #indiaoman #indiaomanrelations #geopolitics #techgeopolitics


Anirudh Suri sits at a unique crossroads, drawing from his experience as a tech venture capitalist and policy advisor to frame some of today's most pressing questions. In The Great Tech Game Podcast: Geopolitics, Technology, Business and Global Affairs, with Anirudh Suri, he moves beyond surface-level news to explore how technological shifts are actively redrawing the lines of global power and economic opportunity. Each episode is built around a conversation with a carefully selected thinker, from entrepreneurs and investors to strategists and scholars, who can unpack the real-world implications of these converging forces. You'll hear specific discussions on how supply chains are being reshaped by policy, what the race for semiconductors means for national security, and how business strategies must adapt in a fragmenting digital world. The dialogue is grounded in Anirudh's perspective as the author of *The Great Tech Game*, ensuring a consistent, insightful thread through diverse topics. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about understanding the tangible game board where technology decisions collide with geopolitical realities. Tuning into this podcast provides a clearer lens on the forces shaping your industry, investments, and the broader global landscape, offering depth and context that daily headlines often miss.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Great Tech Game Podcast: Geopolitics, Technology, Business and Global Affairs, with Anirudh Suri
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