Appendix A1: GCC AI Activities Codebook (2018–2025)

The GCC AI Activities Codebook (2018–2025) is a comprehensive reference guide that catalogs 45 major AI-related initiatives across the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. This empirical dataset documents key developments in national AI strategies, workforce transformation, public-private partnerships, and smart infrastructure initiatives from 2018 through 2025. Organized chronologically by country, each entry outlines the year, activity title, involved organizations, outcomes (with a focus on workforce, policy, and technology), and source references. The codebook highlights each country’s unique path toward AI adoption, emphasizing cross-sectoral applications in education, healthcare, finance, oil & gas, and governance. Compiled from publicly available sources such as government press releases, media reports, and academic publications, the codebook is designed to support researchers, policymakers, and analysts in comparing strategic AI trajectories within the GCC. It also underscores regional trends like the rise of Arabic-focused large language models (LLMs), ethical AI frameworks, and investments in high-performance computing and digital upskilling.