Schneider Electric has urged governments, businesses and industry partners across the Middle East and Africa to strengthen collaboration to accelerate the development of AI-ready infrastructure, as the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence creates new demands for intelligent, resilient and sustainable energy systems.

The firm made the call after concluding its Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa 2026 in Abu Dhabi, where more than 2,500 government officials, energy professionals, industry analysts, customers, partners, students and media representatives gathered to examine how the convergence of energy, artificial intelligence and industrial software is reshaping the region’s future.
Held under the theme “Advancing Energy Tech to Power Intelligence and Resilience,” the two-day summit focused on a growing shift in the energy transition: from simply decarbonising energy supply to building intelligent, connected and resilient systems capable of supporting AI-driven economic growth.

Schneider Electric said the shift towards AI-driven economic activity is increasing the need for energy systems and industrial infrastructure that can operate more intelligently, efficiently and resiliently.
“We are entering an Era of Intelligence in which AI is becoming embedded in the physical economy. AI may be digital, but it runs on electricity and depends on the physical systems beneath it,” said Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric.
“As an Energy Technology Partner, we help customers connect energy and operations through data, software, AI and automation, turning intelligence into action to improve performance, resilience and competitiveness.”

Blum said the scale of the transformation was particularly evident in the Middle East and Africa, where governments and businesses are investing in energy and digital infrastructure to support industrial transformation and long-term economic growth.
A key development at the summit was the release of Schneider Electric’s2026 Industrial AI in CPG Study: UAE, which examined the adoption of artificial intelligence among food and beverage manufacturers in the country.
The study found that UAE manufacturers are adopting industrial AI at a faster pace than the global average.
According to the findings,23 per cent of UAE manufacturers surveyed already consider AI a core part of their operations, compared with16.3 per cent globally.
The study also found that 59 per cent of UAE manufacturers expect AI to have a transformational impact on their organisations by 2030, compared with 42.2 per cent globally. Similarly, 38% identify cybersecurity as a top priority as AI deployment expands.

Commenting on the report, Walid Sheta, President, MEA Zone, Schneider Electric, said Industrial AI is moving from experimentation to deployment.
“What distinguishes the UAE is not only the pace of adoption, but the confidence manufacturers have in AI’s ability to improve productivity, efficiency and resilience,” he said.

Sheta said the next challenge would be ensuring that AI deployments are secure, scalable and capable of delivering measurable business outcomes.
Alongside the event, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and Schneider Electric signed an agreement, initiating the launch of the NEST Accelerator Programme, a 12-week initiative targeting high-potential early-stage startups across the Middle East and Africa.
The programme will focus on startups working in Energy Tech, Industrial Tech and Enterprise AI, areas aligned with Schneider Electric’s strategic priorities and the UAE’s future economy agenda.
The programme will be delivered through a specialised third-party accelerator under Schneider Electric’s supervision.