This chapter explores the role of intellectual property and capital as a catalyst for change with respect to the development of knowledge-based economies and societies driven largely by emerging and new technologies amongst the Gulf Cooperation Council member States. It also reflects a particular focus on an assessment of the opportunity and imperative for the States to embrace new directions in intellectual property in order to contribute to, and capitalise upon, the shift away from hydrocarbon dependencies in favour of developing broader-based economies. It does so by considering three related and mutually supporting ‘pillars’, namely intellectual property, artificial intelligence as representative of the digital environment, and the associated potential for positive contribution to national economic development. It utilises as the vehicle for this analysis a broad-spectrum activity which is deeply embedded in the psyche, history, and custom of all States and their societies, namely sport. While this analysis includes frequent reference to all States with respect to the nature of their perspectives and commitments to promotion of sports activities, it focuses primarily on the experience of Saudi Arabia as arguably the regional exemplar of the utilisation of IP, artificial intelligence and economic development for mutual benefit.