Digital circular economy and artificial intelligence: Pathways to sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates
Abstract
This article aims to explore the relationship between the digital circular economy and artificial intelligence as key tools to support sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. It outlines how the digital circular economy—focused on reducing waste and improving resource efficiency—can be integrated with artificial intelligence technologies that optimize production and service processes through data analysis and intelligent decision-making. The paper reviews national strategies and policies that encourage innovation in these fields, as well as major projects and initiatives aimed at transforming the UAE’s economy into a sustainable, low-carbon model. These initiatives highlight the opportunities presented by modern technologies to stimulate sustainable economic growth and achieve environmental and social goals. The study concludes that combining the digital circular economy with artificial intelligence can significantly enhance sustainability in the UAE by improving the use of natural resources and supporting economic diversification.
Downloads
References
1. Accenture, Circular Advantage: Innovative Business Models and Technologies to Create Value in a World without Limits to Growth, 1st Edition, Accenture Strategy, New York, USA, 2015, p. 26.
2. Ahmed Daqa, Ahmed Haneesh, “Reflections of Artificial Intelligence on Economic Development in Developed and Developing Countries : The Algerian Experience,” Journal of Quantitative Economic Studies, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2025, pp. 181-182.
3. Ahmed Majid, Artificial Intelligence in the UAE, Ministry of Economy, UAE, 2018. Accessed April 8, 2025, file:///C:/Users/maison%20xp/Downloads/AI%20Report%202018%20(2).pdf
4. Al-Ahoul Nawal, “The Role of Circular Economy in Achieving Sustainable Development through Household Waste Recycling in Algeria,” Economic Problem and Development Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2023, p. 46.
5. Ali, Z. A., Zain, M., et al. (2023). “Contributions of Artificial Intelligence for Circular Economy Transition Leading Toward Sustainability : An Explorative Study in Agriculture and Food Industries of Pakistan,” Environment, Development and Sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371573036
6. Al-Sadiq Zouin, “Moving Toward the Circular Economy to Achieve Sustainable Development in Algeria,” Ma'arif Journal for Legal and Economic Sciences, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2021, pp. 33-34.
7. Bernard Ward, Translated by Aisha Yaken, Artificial Intelligence Applications : How 50 Successful Companies Used AI and Machine Learning to Solve Problems, Obikan Publishing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2022, p. 23.
8. Circular Economy... to Preserve Resources and Create Value,” Published September 1, 2022, Accessed April 8, 2025, https://almostathmir.dz
9. Fahad Al-Hazmi, Victor Sahab, “Artificial Intelligence : Technologies, Evolution, and Promises,” Al-Qafila Journal, Vol. 66, No. 1, 2017, p. 37.
10. Fatima Al-Zahraa Qandouz, “Requirements for the Transition from a Linear to Circular Economy to Protect the Environment,” Journal of Commercial Sciences, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2018, p. 6.
11. Geisel A, “The Current and Future Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business,” International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, Vol. 7, No. 5, 2018, pp. 116-122.
12. Hout, Niek Benjamin. “Developing a Dedicated Tool to Support the Development of Domestic Boilers for a Circular Economy,” Master Thesis, Department of Design, Production and Management, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, Netherlands, 2017, pp. 53-56.
13. Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio, Aaron Courville, Deep Learning, 1st Edition, MIT Press, Cambridge, USA, 2016, pp. 29-30.
14. Ibtisam Nasser Huymel, Khawla Abdullah Al-Mufeez, Artificial Intelligence : The Future of Human Resource Management, Obikan Publishing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2022, pp. 58-59.
15. Imad Tekwasht, “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Accelerating the Transition to the Circular Economy,” Al-Aseel Journal for Economic and Administrative Research, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2023, pp. 465-466.
16. International Labour Organization (ILO), World Employment and Social Outlook 2021 : The Role of Digital Labour Platforms in Transforming the World of Work, Geneva, 2021, URL : https://www.ilo.org/publications/flagship-reports/role-digital-labour-platforms-transforming-world-work
17. Julian Kirchherr, Denise Reike, Marko Hekkert, “Conceptualizing the Circular Economy: An Analysis of 114 Definitions,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Issue 127, 2017, Elsevier, p. 232.
18. Kafiya Shanafi, Ahmed Ghabouli, “Household Waste Recycling within the Framework of Circular Economy and Its Role in Achieving Sustainable Development : A Case Study of Setif Province,” Economic Studies Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2024, p. 337.
19. Lamis Al-Arabi, “The Fifth Industrial Revolution : Circular Economy as a New System Carrying Sustainability Opportunities,” Published September 8, 2023, Accessed April 8, 2025, futureuae.com/ar-AE/Mainpage/Item/8590/
20. Majid Abu An-Naji Al-Sharqawi, “Economic Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence : Evaluating the Readiness of the Egyptian Economy,” Journal of Legal and Economic Studies, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2023, pp. 288-289.
21. Maria Antikainen, Teuvo Uusitalo, Paivi Kivikyto-Reponen, “Digitalisation as an Enabler of Circular Economy,” Procedia CIRP, 8th CIRP Conference on Industrial Product-Service Systems, Vol. 73, Elsevier B.V, 2018, p. 48.
22. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and Regional Office for Arab States, United Nations Development Programs, Foresight for the Future of Knowledge, Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, Dubai, UAE, 2018, p. 10.
23. Mohammed Humaid Mohammed, “The Circular Economy and Its Role in Achieving Sustainable Development,” Al-Riyada Journal for Finance and Business, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2021, pp. 165-166.
24. Nashida Ahttash, “The Role of Waste Management in Sustaining the Circular Economy for Green Sustainable Development : A Case Study of Algeria,” Al-Bashaer Economic Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2021, p. 770.
25. Nozad Abdulrahman Mohamed Saleh, Abdulrahman Al-Hiti, “Artificial Intelligence : Economic Indicators and Its Impact on Labor Markets,” Lubab for Strategic Studies, No. 20, Doha, Qatar, 2023, p. 91.
26. Saleh Mahdi Al-Amri, Hassan Jamal Al-Youdawi, “Analyzing the Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Work in the Global Economic Environment,” Al-Ghary Journal for Economic and Administrative Sciences, Vol. 20, Special Issue, 2024, p. 48.
27. Samir Tabour, Ben Ali Qarejeej, “Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Facing and Predicting Economic Crises,” Leadership and Business Economics Journal, Vol. 11, No. 11, 2025, pp. 164-165.
28. Souria Shanbi, “Implementing the Railway Transport Development Strategy in Algeria Using Intelligent Transport Systems as AI Applications,” Financial and Accounting Studies Journal, No. 7, University of El Oued, Algeria, 2016, pp. 157-158.
29. Stuart J. Russell & Peter Norvig, Artificial Intelligence : A Modern Approach, 4th Ed., Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA, 2020, pp. 42–47.
30. UAE Government, “UAE Circular Economy Policies 2021-2031,” Accessed April 8, 2025, https://u.ae/ar-ae/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/policies/economy/uae-circular-economy-policy
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The International tax journal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.