From autonomous cars and precision medicine, to the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence (AI), technology is advancing at such a fast rate that people barely wrap their heads around one invention before a new one comes along. 

We're currently experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, as the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, first said in 2016.

According to a report by Dubai FDI - titled "Artificial Intelligence: Investment Opportunity Brief" - the invention of AI led to people no longer operating alone to make a cohesive working environment. In today's world, AI is seen as a "game-changer for business," and this has been witnessed in many countries around the globe - and in the Arab world, too.

A recently published report by AI consultancy firm Oxford Insights in collaboration with the International Development Research Center (IDRC) found that "The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have all shown strong commitment to developing their AI capabilities. They have been investing heavily in new technology." 

The report indicates how important it is for Arab economies to focus on attracting and retaining foreign talent and companies, as well as being aware of how the volatility of oil prices could affect investment. 

To truly make an impact, governments need to do more than invest in AI adoption. They need to prepare the public for the full integration of AI systems, as well as giving them the tools necessary to "take advantage" of them without hindering any progress.

The latter point is exactly what countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are focusing on so that they remain the leading nations in the region - and later on the world.

AI's significance can be mirrored in a 2018 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) - a leading professional services network - as figures associated with AI's contributions to the world economy in 2030 are estimated to reach $15.7 trillion.

If Arab countries continue down the path of full AI integration, they are expected to generate $320 billion (an estimate of 2 percent) of the global benefits of AI by 2030. 

As a country that's appointed a minister for AI with a full plan that covers all aspects of artificial intelligence and its integration in healthcare and aviation to name a few sectors, the UAE is expected to have the highest impact in 2030. PwC predicts AI will contribute $96 billion (13.6 percent of GDP) to the UAE's economy in 2030.

The second highest impact country - but the one with the largest AI contribution - is Saudi Arabia, with $135.2 billion (12.4 percent GDP). The third highest would be - what PwC has grouped together and coined as GCC4 - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, providing $45.9 billion (8.2 percent GDP.) And finally, Egypt, with $42.7 billion (7.7 percent GDP.)

From PwC's findings, it was also predicted that "The impact could be even larger if governments continue to push the boundaries of innovation and implementation of AI across businesses and sectors."

The month-long Jeddah Season festival officially came to an end on July 18 with a massive grand finale ... and it was all about the pop.

Titled "Jeddah World Fest," the one-night-only music festival saw some of the biggest names in the music industry take the stage in Saudi Arabia as thousands of people tuned in to the beat. 

Liam Payne, former One Direction member, DJ Steve Aoki, Chris Brown, Janet Jackson, Tyga, Future, and 50 Cent made it out to the kingdom ... and boy was the crowd excited. This all came to be after Nicki Minaj - who was meant to headline the festival - canceled just a few days before she was set to appear on stage. The festival confirmed the final lineup just hours before they took the stage (Payne and Aoki were already confirmed). 

Chris Brown, Tyga, and 50 Cent did not hide their love for the kingdom. It seems like they were treated like real royalty during their stay - not to forget the massive energy present among crowds during their performances. 

"When I say God is good, you say all the time. I had a ball at Jeddah fest, kingdom of Saudi Arabia," 50 Cent wrote in an Instagram post.

The American rapper also said that he's "been around the world a few times there's no place [sic] JEDDAH."

Though he did not address Saudi Arabia directly, the fact that the artist posted six Instagram posts (all taken in Saudi Arabia) proves just how excited he really was to be there. 

Jeddah World Fest - part of Jeddah Season - is Saudi Arabia's biggest music festival to date, though it is not the only one to ever take place. The Gulf nation has been trying to lure its residents into spending more money locally, even simplifying e-visas - which can be cleared in three minutes - for foreigners attending events. That was the case for Jeddah Season - which began on June 8 and is scheduled to end on July 18. All attendees from abroad were granted a visa online upon purchasing an event ticket. 

In 2017, the kingdom announced a budget allocation for the sector worth $2.67 billion under its Vision 2030 plan. Just a year later, a three-day music festival took place with a mixed-gender crowd dancing to songs by David Guetta, Enrique Iglesias, Black Eyed Peas, and Jason Derulo.

Since Vision 2030 was initiated in 2016, the kingdom has opened its doors wide to a range of new cultural activities. Public concerts, international conferences, cinemas, and other entertainment options have come to the kingdom, with young Saudis expressing enthusiasm for the changes. The launch of Jeddah Season this summer was another. The month-long event-packed festival aims at boosting people's idea of tourism in Saudi Arabia, which was practically non-existent 10 years ago. 

International arrivals to Saudi Arabia are expected to increase by 5.6 percent per year, reaching 23.3 million by 2023. The biggest contributor to the sector is, and will continue to be over the next decade, religious tourism. By 2030, Saudi Arabia is expected to host 30 million pilgrims. Previously, the numbers were at 19 million pilgrims, from both Hajj and Umrah, in 2017.