A new Siemens report positions the Middle East as a frontrunner in the global infrastructure transition, with regional executives demonstrating greater urgency and investment intent than their global peers.
The 2026 Middle East Infrastructure Transition Monitor, based on a survey of 400 senior executives and expert interviews, finds that 66 percent of regional leaders believe the energy transition must accelerate significantly, compared to 57 percent globally.
Industrial AI is a key force behind this shift. Some 62 percent of executives expect AI to reshape infrastructure operations within three years, while 61 percent confirm that AI is already making critical infrastructure more resilient.
Automation is gaining ground just as quickly. More than half of organisations say they are ready to implement autonomous systems in buildings, with 57 percent planning significant investments in this space over the coming year.
Hakan Ozdemir, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the Middle East and Siemens Qatar, noted that infrastructure across the region is evolving into a strategic driver of competitiveness and sustainable growth, adding that success will increasingly depend on connecting data, intelligence, and physical infrastructure at scale.
Grid modernisation remains a central priority, with 64 percent identifying smart grids as crucial enablers and 66 percent supporting the integration of electricity, gas, hydrogen, and transportation into a unified platform.
Decarbonisation targets are also outpacing global benchmarks. Some 70 percent of regional organisations have already set emissions targets, against 58 percent globally, with 68 percent recognising digitalisation as essential to achieving them.
Public-private collaboration is reinforcing these efforts, with 65 percent of respondents confirming that businesses and governments are working closely on energy policy, ahead of the 59 percent global average.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
