Mo Gawdat on AI, Happiness, and What the Gulf Gets Right

When Mo Gawdat left his role as Chief Business Officer at Google X, he didn’t retreat to a quiet advisory role. Instead, he launched a global mission to ensure AI serves humanity’s happiness — not just its productivity.

His bestselling book ‘Solve for Happy’ became a blueprint for rethinking success in the age of artificial intelligence. And increasingly, his message is finding its most receptive audience in the Gulf.

Why Mo Resonates in the Gulf

Mo Gawdat grew up in Cairo, studied in the region, and built his career across the Middle East before joining Google. He understands the Gulf not as an outsider looking in, but as someone who shares its cultural DNA.

“The Gulf has something that Silicon Valley has lost,” Mo said in a recent interview. “A genuine belief that technology should serve human wellbeing, not replace it. The conversations I have with leaders in Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha are more nuanced and more hopeful than anything I hear in San Francisco.”

The AI-Happiness Connection

Mo’s core thesis is both simple and radical: the development of artificial intelligence is the most important event in human history, and we have a narrow window to get it right.

His argument resonates particularly well with Gulf audiences because the region is making massive AI investments while simultaneously grappling with questions about cultural preservation, social cohesion, and intergenerational values.

“The Gulf is building AI infrastructure at an incredible pace,” Mo explains. “But what makes this region different is that leaders here are asking the right questions: not just ‘what can AI do?’ but ‘what should AI do for our people?’”

What a Mo Gawdat Engagement Looks Like

Mo’s typical engagement for Gulf organizations goes beyond a 45-minute keynote. His most impactful sessions combine a main-stage address with intimate leadership roundtables where executives can explore the human implications of their AI strategies.

Recent Gulf engagements have included: - A keynote at the World Government Summit on “AI and the Future of Human Happiness” - A private advisory session with a leading Gulf sovereign wealth fund on responsible AI investment - A mentorship series with emerging AI leaders across the GCC

Booking Mo Through Minbar.ai

As one of Minbar.ai’s founding voices, Mo Gawdat is available for keynotes, mentorship sessions, and advisory engagements across the Gulf. Our team handles everything from initial introductions to logistics and cultural preparation — ensuring every engagement delivers maximum impact.

The Gulf’s AI story is still being written. With voices like Mo Gawdat helping shape the narrative, it’s a story that puts humanity first.