Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Fund, with a staggering $330 billion in assets, is making bold moves to embrace the future of artificial intelligence (AI), but its CEO warns the world isn’t fully prepared for the level of disruption AI is about to bring. From reimagining business operations to transforming entire industries, AI is on the brink of reshaping everything we know.
In an exclusive interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the managing director of Mubadala, spoke candidly about AI’s vast potential, its risks, and how his fund is positioning itself to be a leader in the AI revolution. Alongside AI, Al Mubarak also reaffirmed Mubadala’s commitment to China, even as the global political landscape shifts.
AI: A Disruptive Force Like No Other
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, Al Mubarak believes that AI is poised to disrupt every aspect of human life. From jobs to human capital and even our everyday routines, AI is set to bring about changes that are hard to imagine right now.
- AI’s Unseen Potential: “No one truly appreciates the level of disruption AI will cause,” Al Mubarak said during his interview with CNBC’s Dan Murphy. According to him, the speed at which AI is advancing means that society is struggling to keep up.
- Impact Across Industries: While AI holds immense promise in improving efficiency and innovation, it also brings significant risks. Businesses, industries, and even labor markets could be altered dramatically. The scope of these changes, Al Mubarak warned, is still unclear due to the rapid pace of technological advancement.
Mubadala’s Strategy: Investing Big in AI Infrastructure
Mubadala isn’t just watching the AI revolution from the sidelines—it’s actively investing in the infrastructure that will power this technological transformation. This includes massive investments in AI, data centers, and cutting-edge technology companies like OpenAI.
- Backing OpenAI: Mubadala played a key role in OpenAI’s recent $6.6 billion fundraising round, making it a significant player in the AI space. This aligns with Mubadala’s broader strategy of supporting AI innovation. The fund has also partnered with OpenAI through its dedicated AI company, G42, to foster AI development in the UAE and regional markets.
- Building the AI Infrastructure: In addition to funding AI companies, Mubadala is heavily invested in the infrastructure required to enable AI. This includes developing data centers, manufacturing chips, and building out the energy technology that powers AI systems.
- A Long-Term Vision: Al Mubarak emphasized that Mubadala’s investment approach isn’t focused on short-term gains. Rather, the fund is looking at the next 10, 20, or even 30 years. The demand for AI infrastructure is expected to grow exponentially, and Mubadala is positioning itself to capitalize on this long-term trend.
AI’s Future: High Demand, Big Opportunities
Al Mubarak sees a massive surge in demand for AI technologies over the next decade. The fund’s strategy is not just to invest in AI companies but to ensure the infrastructure supporting them is robust and scalable.
- A Booming Market: Al Mubarak noted that the future of AI lies not just in the technology itself but in the support systems surrounding it. From energy systems that power AI to the vast data centers required for AI to function at scale, the demand for these services is expected to increase rapidly.
- A Growing Market for AI: Mubadala’s confidence in AI comes from the strong growth prospects in this sector. With AI poised to touch every part of life—from healthcare to manufacturing—the potential for profit is enormous.
- The Role of UAE: As a major investor in AI, Al Mubarak is optimistic that the UAE will be able to leverage these investments to position itself as a global leader in AI. With the UAE’s commitment to becoming a hub for technological innovation, Mubadala is betting on the country’s ability to harness this revolutionary technology.
Staying Committed to China Amid Challenges
In addition to AI, another focus for Mubadala is China. Despite potential challenges from trade tensions, tariffs, and an economic slowdown, Al Mubarak reaffirmed his commitment to investing in the Chinese market.
- China’s Economic Strength: Despite the challenges, Al Mubarak remains bullish on China. He pointed to the country’s status as the second-largest economy globally, with a population of 1.4 billion and a growing middle class. “When you look at the basics, China still has a lot to offer,” he explained.
- A Long-Term Investment: Al Mubarak sees the growth of China’s consumer market as a key driver of future opportunities. While global trade tensions and political uncertainties persist, he believes that the fundamentals of China’s economy remain strong, making it an attractive investment destination.
- Adapting to Changing Conditions: Al Mubarak is aware of the potential risks posed by trade wars and tariffs but is confident that a pragmatic approach will lead to positive outcomes. He pointed out that in 2024, major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong had impressive market returns, demonstrating that the country’s economic resilience can weather geopolitical storms.
What’s Next for Mubadala’s Investment Strategy?
Mubadala’s investment strategy is clear: focus on transformative sectors like AI and continue to nurture strong ties with key markets such as China. By doing so, the fund is positioning itself to ride the wave of technological change, while also preparing for the risks that come with these innovations.
- AI: The Future of Investing: The future of investing will increasingly be shaped by AI, and Mubadala’s strategy is already ahead of the curve. By investing in AI infrastructure, data centers, and companies like OpenAI, Mubadala is not only positioning itself as a major player in the AI revolution but also as a key enabler of the technology’s success.
- China: A Continual Focus: Even as the global political climate shifts, Mubadala’s focus on China remains unwavering. With a long-term view on the Chinese economy, the fund is betting that despite challenges, the country’s economic growth will continue to provide lucrative opportunities for investors.
Conclusion: Embracing Disruption While Managing Risk
Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s insights into the future of AI and global investment highlight the balance between opportunity and risk. While AI presents enormous potential to revolutionize industries, it also poses challenges that the world is not fully prepared for. At the same time, Mubadala’s continued commitment to China shows that despite geopolitical tensions, long-term growth potential remains a key driver of investment decisions.
For Mubadala, the future is not just about technology—it’s about navigating a complex global landscape and positioning itself to benefit from the next wave of innovation. As AI continues to evolve and China remains a central player in the global economy, Mubadala’s strategy will continue to unfold with the goal of capitalizing on both emerging technologies and expanding markets.

I am Aparna Sahu
Investment Specialist and Financial Writer
With 2 years of experience in the financial sector, Aparna brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to Investor Welcome. As an accomplished author and investment specialist, Aparna has a passion for demystifying complex financial concepts and empowering investors with actionable strategies. She has been featured in relevant publications, if any, and is dedicated to providing clear, evidence-based analysis that helps clients make informed investment decisions. Aparna holds a relevant degree or certification and is committed to staying ahead of market trends to deliver the most up-to-date advice.