BCG, DFF and WGS Unveil 6 Paradigm Shifts Redefining Global RDI — How Governments can Adapt to the Changing RDI Ecosystem

New report presents a comprehensive approach that fuels the dynamism and resilience of the innovation ecosystem and positions it for long-term success in the face of global challenges and opportunities.

Dubai, UAE, August 28, 2025 – GCC governments are pinpointing Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) as pivotal to their national strategies, emphasizing the need for significant shifts in policy and engagement to adapt to the changing RDI ecosystem, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) in collaboration with the World Governments Summit 2025.

Khalifa Al Qama

“The new era of RDI means rethinking government’s role: A roadmap to guide decision making” report outlines six paradigm shifts essential for governments to stay competitive and foster a vibrant RDI environment. This transformation involves fostering collaboration across sectors, guiding innovations, and accelerating the deployment of advanced technologies. Simultaneously, RDI is marked by a blurring of disciplines, the convergence of basic research with applied innovation, and the synthetic (human + artificial) intelligence revolution. This evolving landscape suggests a seamless overlap of disciplines creating interdisciplinary solutions potent enough to address modern challenges like food security, through endeavors like lab-grown foods, and introducing innovative products such as nutrient-delivering smart clothes.

Maya ElHachem, Managing Director and Partner and UAE Office Lead at BCG said: “Our research highlights how AI and big data are transforming RDI, not just as tools but as transformative forces redefining how scientists approach discovery. AI’s ability to double productivity through faster analysis, predictive modeling, and virtual experimentation is reshaping fields like drug development, slashing timelines from decades to mere years. As AI becomes integral to research and big data unlocks solutions to mega problems, governments and the scientific community must collaboratively address issues of consent, security, and fairness while leveraging these technologies to reimagine how we innovate in the modern era.”

Khalifa AlQama, Executive Director of Dubai Future Labs said: “We are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of research, development, and innovation – globally, and especially here in the Middle East and Dubai. Government decisions today will profoundly shape the future of the RDI sector. Governments need to set a clear course, nurture scientific talent, create environments that foster innovation, and provide patient capital to lay the foundation for private sector investment.”

In Dubai, we are already taking bold steps. Last year, we launched the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation Program to advance our transition to a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy and boost global competitiveness. As part of this, we introduced Dubai’s first RDI Grant Initiative, supporting over 24 research projects in fields like health, cognitive cities, AI, and robotics. We’ve also launched several regulatory sandboxes to provide innovation-friendly environments where pioneering companies can thrive. These initiatives are building the ecosystem we need to lead in tomorrow’s RDI economy.”

Anna Flynn, Principal at BCG said: “AI is revolutionizing the RDI landscape, ushering in a hybrid era of ‘synthetic talent’—the fusion of human intellect and machine computation—poised to redefine scientific discovery. With last year’s Nobel Prize recognizing AI-driven research, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a future where AI itself is honored. Governments must prepare for this shift by equipping the next generation of scientists on how to best harness this technology. Our education systems must integrate AI and machine learning not merely as standalone subjects, but as collaborative tools that will drive and accelerate the next wave of scientific breakthroughs and innovation.”

Unveiling Paradigm Shifts

According to the report, six paradigm shifts are having the greatest impact on RDI and governments have a role to play in shaping and charting the way in all of them:

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