Economies must turn AI tokens into growth, says Microsoft CEO

Satya also discussed the importance of diffusing AI technology and implementing it globally.. (SCREENGRAB)
Short Url
Updated 20 January 2026
Follow

Economies must turn AI tokens into growth, says Microsoft CEO

  • AI tokens are basic units of text read and generated by artificial intelligence models when processing language

DUBAI: Global economies will need to transform AI tokens into economic growth, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday.

GDP growth anywhere will be directly correlated with the accessibility of power and resources such as AI tokens, said Satya, adding: “We have a new commodity which is tokens, and the job of every economy is to translate tokens into economic growth. If we have cheaper commodities, it’s better.”

AI tokens are basic units of text read and generated by artificial intelligence models when processing language.

Satya also discussed the importance of diffusing AI technology and implementing it globally.

“Our job is to pioneer the relationship between AI and people so that productivity can increase. The scale of operations can really be increased by utilizing this technology,” he said.

“On the supply side, the ratio of tokens per dollar per watt has to get better. We have to ensure that the supply is there from the chips to the token factory. It's like electricity. We need a ubiquitous grid of energy and tokens that will power the economy.”

On the consumer side, Satya urged all firms to start using it and said both small- and large-scale operations would face different challenges.

“If you start fresh it’s easier to implement these tools, for large organizations there is a fundamental challenge to achieve scale in implementing the change. The change management challenge for large organizations is bigger,” he said.

He added this technology has the ability and demand to be implemented globally.

“We have the ability to deliver tokens all around the world, this will ensure even distribution of resources. The technology is in our hands to create opportunity in the Global South and beyond. As long as there is a demand and an environment to create capital investment, then it's worth it,” he said.


DP World announces new leadership appointments

Updated 13 February 2026
Follow

DP World announces new leadership appointments

DUBAI: DP World announced the appointment of Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors and the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group Chief Executive Officer.

Essa Kazim currently serves as Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre and Chairman of Borse Dubai. He brings extensive experience in financial and economic affairs, having previously held senior leadership positions in several national institutions.

Yuvraj Narayan has extensive professional experience in financial management, corporate finance, supply chains, and global trade. Since joining DP World in 2004, he has led a number of strategic and transformational initiatives that supported the company’s expansion across international markets and strengthened its role as an integrated global provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions.

Narayan has served as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2005, contributing to the company’s financial resilience and operational efficiency.

DP World affirmed that the new appointments support its strategy for sustainable growth and reinforce its role in strengthening global supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as a leading hub for trade and logistics.