Deep in the heart of the UAE’s power structure, one man stands out as both a financier and a spymaster—a Sheikh who has quietly become one of the most powerful individuals in the world. Over the past decade, he has crafted a network that blends cutting-edge technology, surveillance, and investments, giving him control over a $1.5 trillion empire. This empire, rooted in sovereign wealth funds, cybersecurity ventures, and artificial intelligence (AI), is not just a tool for economic growth—it’s a way to cement dominance in the digital age.
In 2016, the Sheikh was elevated to a critical position overseeing the UAE’s national security and intelligence operations. Under his leadership, a secretive initiative known as Project Raven expanded its activities. Initially designed to fight terrorism, Project Raven’s focus shifted to spying on journalists, dissidents, and even human rights activists. Employing elite former US intelligence operatives, the project developed advanced tools to hack devices, including baby monitors, to listen in on private conversations. One infamous target was an activist who had spoken out for democracy during the Arab Spring.
As Project Raven evolved, its methods grew bolder. The Sheikh’s intelligence network worked through a company called DarkMatter, which became synonymous with cyber-surveillance in the region. This covert apparatus later transitioned into G42, a tech conglomerate that now operates some of the UAE’s most advanced AI and cybersecurity systems.
From Spying to AI Domination
The Sheikh’s ambitions didn’t stop with espionage. By 2018, his influence extended to the creation of G42, a powerhouse that leverages AI to analyze vast amounts of data. G42’s reach goes far beyond its home base in Abu Dhabi. It has developed AI applications for satellites, cellular networks, and even popular consumer apps like ToTok, which was once promoted as a simple messaging app. However, ToTok secretly collected private data from millions of users worldwide, feeding it into UAE intelligence operations.
Through subsidiaries like Pax AI, G42 processes immense amounts of information, scanning for “suspicious activity”—a term that has raised concerns among international human rights organizations. The company’s operations are so deeply integrated with the government that its data centers are located in restricted military zones. Every employee must pass security clearances, highlighting the overlap between corporate ambitions and state control.
In recent years, G42 has expanded into new fields like space technology and AI-powered data centers, cementing the Sheikh’s role as a global player in the AI arms race. His control over vast financial resources, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and other wealth funds, has enabled him to back cutting-edge technology projects with seemingly limitless capital.
Wealth and Power Under One Roof
In 2023, the Sheikh’s growing power became undeniable when he was named chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. This appointment solidified his control over $1.5 trillion in assets, including investments in technology, real estate, and global industries. He also oversees multiple conglomerates and the UAE’s largest bank, giving him unprecedented economic leverage.
Beyond finance, the Sheikh has become a diplomatic heavyweight, handling complex relations with countries like Iran, Qatar, and Israel. When political challenges arise, they’re handed to him, earning him a reputation as the go-to problem solver for the UAE.
But his power comes with controversy. G42’s ties to Chinese companies and the use of AI for surveillance have raised alarms in Western security circles. US lawmakers and experts have questioned the unchecked flow of technology to the UAE, fearing it could be exploited for espionage or authoritarian purposes. Even the US government’s restrictions on exporting advanced AI chips have done little to slow his ambitions, as the Sheikh finds ways to collaborate with global tech giants.
The Sheikh’s empire represents a fusion of wealth, technology, and influence unlike anything seen before in the Middle East. With his mastery of both finance and espionage, he has created a model for how a modern state can use AI not only as a tool for development but also as a mechanism for control. Whether through strategic investments or cutting-edge surveillance, his $1.5 trillion fortune ensures that his reach extends far beyond the borders of the UAE.
