At Reuters NEXT Gulf, Emaar’s Mohamed Alabbar expressed optimism about Dubai’s real estate and strong interest in investing in India. Simultaneously, India proposed new IT rules requiring AI platforms and social media companies to label synthetic content and deepfakes. The twin developments reflect strategic shifts in real estate and tech governance.
At the Reuters NEXT Gulf summit in Abu Dhabi, Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabbar shared strategic insights on Dubai’s real estate outlook and India’s investment potential, while parallel developments in India’s digital policy landscape signaled a regulatory shift for AI platforms and social media companies.
Key Highlights From Reuters NEXT And Policy Announcements
- Alabbar expressed optimism about Dubai’s property market, citing upcoming supply in 2026 and 2027 as a stabilizing force for prices
- He emphasized Emaar’s intent to expand in India through joint ventures or equity stakes in companies with strong local knowledge
- Alabbar stated, “We are positive to put more money in India,” reinforcing Emaar’s long-term commitment to the country’s real estate and infrastructure sectors
- India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT proposed amendments to the Information Technology Rules, mandating AI platforms like ChatGPT to label synthetic visual and audio content
- The draft rules also require social media companies to prominently tag AI-generated deepfakes, aiming to curb misinformation and enhance digital transparency
- These proposals are part of India’s broader effort to regulate emerging technologies while safeguarding user trust and civic integrity
Strategic And Cultural Relevance
Alabbar’s remarks reflect growing UAE-India economic synergy, especially in real estate, tech, and infrastructure. His interest in local partnerships aligns with India’s push for foreign investment grounded in domestic expertise. Meanwhile, India’s AI policy signals a proactive stance on ethical tech deployment.
Industry Context
Dubai’s real estate market has seen rapid growth post-pandemic, with concerns around overheating. Alabbar’s comments suggest a maturing cycle with balanced supply. In India, the AI regulation draft places the country among global leaders in synthetic media governance, echoing similar moves in the EU and US.
Market Outlook
Emaar’s India expansion could catalyze new urban development projects, especially in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. On the tech front, AI platforms and social media firms may need to redesign content pipelines and user interfaces to comply with labeling mandates, impacting product timelines and moderation strategies.
Sources: Reuters NEXT Gulf, Economic Times, Ministry of Electronics and IT (India)