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

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