Embracing an AI-First Mindset for Sustainable Growth

Written by Alok Singh Chauhan

Within the last few decades, the world has undoubtedly realized the huge benefits of embracing the mindset of digital-first, automation-first, mobile-first, cloud-first, and so on — both within business and general life. Today, the world is at another inflection point, with businesses needing to embrace an AI-first mindset to enable sustainable growth. And, as always, what applies in business will ultimately also apply in general life.

As a member of the AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD) and a certified professional in using neuroscience in business (Brain Computer Interface), I can share my experiences from the recent Geneva Summit 2025 held in January at the United Nations Office.

One of the highlights of the agenda was a discussion on the topic "Digital Sovereignty and Governance in the Age of AI." The critical action points identified the creation of a dynamic framework to:

• Balance regulation and innovation.
• Protect data rights and privacy that respect national sovereignty while enabling cross-border collaboration.
• Ensure all nations have an equitable voice in global AI governance, supported by effective public-private partnerships.
• Prevent data colonialism while promoting responsible innovation and collaboration.
• Ensure democratic and diverse global AI governance mechanisms that reflect the interests and concerns of all countries.
• Measure and benchmark the AI maturity of a nation.

In October 2017, the UAE Government launched its 'UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence,’ which aims to achieve the objectives of UAE Centennial 2071, boost government performance at all levels, use an integrated smart digital system that can overcome challenges and provide quick efficient solutions, make the UAE the first in the field of AI investments in various sectors, and create a new vital market with high economic value.

At Convene, we have already embraced an AI-first mindset in our product roadmap and business operations to provide a best-in-class paperless board and committee meeting experience. Convene's other products (e.g. ESG reporting software) also use AI technologies to generate highly compliant, informative, and engaging ESG reports.

We are yet to see the best from AI, and we are standing ready to welcome it.

This article is featured at the IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2025's Knowledge Hub which can be viewed here.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash