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- Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties and noon, delivered a stark message about the future of work and influence as he took the stage at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, warning that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape the UAE’s workforce and business landscape.
- Speaking during a fireside chat titled “The Art of Thinking Big Enough”, moderated by Hadley Gamble, Chief International Anchor at IMI, Alabbar said AI is set to replace much of the work currently carried out by expatriates, while simultaneously creating new opportunities for those who know how to use the technology effectively.
- On the challenges of leadership, he pointed to Emaar’s 2000 public listing on the Dubai Financial Market as one of the most demanding moments of his career.
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties and noon, delivered a stark message about the future of work and influence as he took the stage at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, warning that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape the UAE’s workforce and business landscape.
Speaking during a fireside chat titled “The Art of Thinking Big Enough”, moderated by Hadley Gamble, Chief International Anchor at IMI, Alabbar said AI is set to replace much of the work currently carried out by expatriates, while simultaneously creating new opportunities for those who know how to use the technology effectively.
“AI is the greatest news for a country like the UAE,” Alabbar said. “We depend on incredible people coming from abroad, and much of that will change because AI will do a lot of that work for us. But smart people who understand how to use AI will continue to do very well.”
Addressing creators and influencers in the room, Alabbar stressed the importance of long-term brand building, arguing that influence without strategy is unsustainable.
“If you’re a social influencer and you’re not building your brand for the long term, you’re not really in business,” he said. “Your name is everything.”
He added that successful businesses and personal brands must be resilient to political and economic shifts, noting that Emaar and noon were built with long-term thinking rather than short-term trends in mind.
Reflecting on Emaar’s global journey, Alabbar acknowledged that not all international projects achieved equal success, crediting the UAE as a decisive factor behind the company’s growth.
“We are mesmerised by how easy it is to succeed in the UAE. This country makes success possible,” he said, contrasting it with more restrictive business environments abroad.
Alabbar described Emaar’s success as a combination of solving problems better than competitors, protecting brand integrity, and attracting top talent, while emphasising the role of the UAE’s pro-business ecosystem in enabling scale.
On the challenges of leadership, he pointed to Emaar’s 2000 public listing on the Dubai Financial Market as one of the most demanding moments of his career.
“Going public means exposing your results every 90 days. Shareholders don’t want to hear excuses, only outcomes,” he said, adding that public markets enforce discipline, resilience, and accountability.
Closing the session, Alabbar returned to the theme of disruption, arguing that AI will accelerate changes in how wealth, talent, and opportunity are distributed. While automation may replace many traditional roles, he maintained that adaptability and intelligence will remain decisive.
“The future belongs to those who know how to think big and use the tools available,” he said. “AI won’t eliminate opportunity—it will redefine it.”
