Artificial intelligence has become one of the defining technologies of this decade, but according to Prateek Suri, Chairman of Maser Group, the companies that emerge as long-term leaders in AI may not necessarily be those building the most advanced algorithms. Instead, he believes the decisive advantage will belong to those investing in the infrastructure that enables artificial intelligence to operate at scale.

Recently Prateek Suri was recognized among Gulf Business’ Top 50 CEOs and Leaders of 2026⁠, Suri represents a new generation of business leaders expanding beyond traditional industries into sectors shaping the future global economy. The recognition highlighted his leadership as Chairman of Maser Group and his growing focus on long-term investments across artificial intelligence, infrastructure, mining and logistics.

"Everyone is talking about AI models, but far fewer are discussing the infrastructure that powers them,” Suri says. "Without reliable energy, high-performance computing, fibre connectivity and world-class data centers, artificial intelligence cannot reach its full potential.”

His comments reflect a growing shift within the investment community. As governments and corporations accelerate AI adoption, attention is increasingly moving beyond software towards the physical assets that support digital transformation. Power generation, digital infrastructure, connectivity and computing capacity are rapidly becoming strategic priorities for both public and private investors.

This thinking has also shaped Maser Group’s long-term direction. Following the successful exit of its consumer electronics business, the group has expanded into artificial intelligence, infrastructure, mining and logistics, positioning itself around industries expected to benefit from long-term structural growth.

This strategic evolution was recently highlighted by Gulf Times⁠, which reported on Maser Group’s expansion into artificial intelligence, infrastructure, mining and logistics as part of the group’s broader strategy of investing in industries expected to drive the next phase of economic growth across Africa and the Middle East.

The expansion has continued with the launch of Emarald, Maser Group’s construction materials division. Reporting on the initiative, Arabian Business⁠ highlighted the company’s strategy of building a diversified portfolio around infrastructure and industrial development, reinforcing Suri’s view that the AI economy will require significant investment not only in software but also in the physical assets that enable digital transformation.

For Suri, artificial intelligence should not be viewed simply as another technology trend. He believes it represents a structural transformation comparable to the Industrial Revolution or the rise of the internet. In his view, every major technological leap has relied on supporting infrastructure, and AI will be no different.

"The next decade won’t only be about creating smarter AI applications,” he says. "It will be about building the infrastructure that allows businesses, governments and societies to deploy AI efficiently and securely.”

He believes emerging markets have a unique opportunity to participate in this transformation by investing in digital infrastructure rather than remaining consumers of technologies developed elsewhere. Countries capable of combining reliable energy, advanced connectivity and modern industrial ecosystems, he argues, will be well positioned to attract long-term investment as AI adoption accelerates.

As AI increasingly becomes embedded across industries, Suri believes the race will ultimately be won not only by those writing the smartest algorithms, but by those building the foundations on which the global AI economy depends.

"Infrastructure,” he concludes, "will be the real competitive advantage in the age of artificial intelligence.”