By: Emily Williams
As the Middle East accelerates toward becoming a global innovation hub, two technologies are at the heart of its transformation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Subham Ray, renowned technology evangelist, cybersecurity strategist, and global thought leader, about how the region is merging ambition with responsibility to shape a secure and AI-driven future.
Q: Subham, how do you see the Middle East approaching AI adoption compared to other regions?
Subham Ray: What excites me most is how fast and focused the Middle East is in adopting AI, not just as a technology, but as a national priority. The Middle East is implementing national AI strategies that go beyond innovation—they’re aiming to make AI part of daily life.
We’re seeing AI used for smart cities, precision healthcare, public services, and more. In many ways, the Middle East is designing the future from scratch,and doing it with vision and scale.
Q: What are the cybersecurity implications of this rapid digital shift?
Subham Ray: Every equal leap must match every leap in digital capability in cybersecurity. As systems grow smarter and more interconnected, they also become more vulnerable. Cybercriminals are already using AI to enhance their attacks, phishing, ransomware, and infrastructure breaches are becoming more sophisticated.
The Middle East understands this urgency. Governments are investing in AI-driven threat detection, SOCs, zero-trust models, and more. But beyond tools and tech, what’s needed is a security-first mindset. That means boardrooms taking cyber seriously, public-private partnerships for cyber resilience, and most importantly, education and awareness at every level.
Q: You’ve written extensively about the convergence of AI and cybersecurity. Can you explain what that means for the future?
Subham Ray: Absolutely. We’re at a fascinating point where AI is both a challenge and a solution in the cybersecurity space.
While AI opens up new attack surfaces, it’s also our most powerful defense. Machine learning can now detect threats in real time, analyze patterns across massive datasets, and even automate incident responses. Soon, we’ll see AI systems that can self-heal, self-defend, and continuously learn, building dynamic, intelligent security frameworks.
The Middle East is well-positioned to lead in this space, meaning they can integrate security directly into the foundation, not as an afterthought.
Q: Ethics and responsibility in AI have become global concerns. What’s your take on how the Middle East is handling this?
Subham Ray: This is where I believe the Middle East has an opportunity to lead globally, not just in technology, but in values. The region is actively exploring AI governance, fairness, and inclusivity. For instance, the UAE’s AI Ethics Guidelines are a good step forward.
I strongly believe that ethical AI must be transparent, explainable, and inclusive, and the Middle East is building the right environment to make this happen.
Q: What role do you see yourself playing in this regional transformation?
Subham Ray: For me, it’s about giving back and sharing knowledge to support cybersecurity empowerment. I continue to empower organisations with cybersecurity, contribute to global communities, and advocate for ethical, secure innovation.
My goal is to support AI literacy, secure cloud adoption, and regional empowerment.
Q: Looking ahead, what message would you share with global investors and tech leaders watching the Middle East?
Subham Ray: The Middle East is no longer just a consumer of technology, it’s becoming a creator and exporter of innovation. With strong leadership, infrastructure, and talent, this region is ready to collaborate, experiment, and scale responsibly.
My message is simple: Don’t just observe, participate. This is the right time to invest, partner, and build with the region. The future of AI and cybersecurity is being shaped here,and it’s a future built on trust, vision, and collaboration.
About Subham Ray
Subham Ray is currently holding the position as Senior Business Manager at Gulf IT. He is an internationally recognized technology author, cloud and cybersecurity strategist, and thought leader known for his impactful contributions to the global tech community. With deep expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity, Subham has built a career that bridges innovation with education, and strategy with execution.
His work is featured across respected platforms, including C# Corner, Tutorials Link, and Alibaba Cloud MVP profiles. He has also served as a community mentor, speaker, and knowledge contributor for technology conferences and initiatives across the Middle East and South Asia.
Currently based in the UAE, Subham is actively involved in shaping the regional tech landscape. He supports AI literacy and secure digital infrastructure. His forward-thinking insights into how emerging technologies can align with real-world outcomes have made him a trusted voice among enterprises, startups, and digital policymakers alike.
Subham Ray holds prestigious recognitions such as Alibaba Cloud MVP, and is regularly featured in regional publications and thought leadership forums.
