UAE Unveils Future Visions Of AI To Benefit Society At Digital Retreat

Omar Sultan AlOlama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, affirmed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the proactive thinking of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has prioritised technology and digitisation as the foundation for governmental development and growth.

This statement was made during AlOlama’s participation in a keynote titled "Pioneering the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Empowering Society through its Applications". The event was part of the Digital Readiness Retreat conducted by the Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation for UAE government leaders and officials from ministries and federal entities. The retreat aimed to promote digital integration and collaboration while showcasing exemplary digital government models and prominent digital projects.

During his session, AlOlama discussed the UAE's journey towards development and prosperity, emphasising its focus on keeping pace with global changes and technological advancements. He highlighted that artificial intelligence solutions have witnessed the fastest adoption in human history. This rapid adoption necessitates governments to adapt quickly to ensure leadership in this field and benefit from this technology across various sectors including healthcare, education, and media.

AlOlama stated that expectations for economic returns from artificial intelligence could reach $320 billion in the Middle East. Additionally, it is anticipated that the artificial intelligence sector will contribute 14% to the UAE’s GDP by 2030. The field's potential to increase productivity by 50% underscores its immense opportunities in transforming sectors and economies globally, redefining jobs, skills, and qualifications.

AlOlama highlighted both opportunities and challenges within the artificial intelligence sector. For instance, deepfakes were used to steal $25 million from a global company, and artificial intelligence facilitated the rapid production of thousands of toxic compounds in less than six hours. Conversely, global factories save millions annually by reducing costs through artificial intelligence, with companies achieving a commercial value of 1.84 billion dirhams by leveraging these techniques.

Furthermore, the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi utilises artificial intelligence to monitor soil quality across 250 sites covering an area of 3.8 million square meters in just 50 days. This underscores the importance of optimal use of artificial intelligence to benefit communities and enhance human safety.

AlOlama pointed out that the government's role today lies in keeping pace with global changes to lead the future. The UAE realised this early on by developing data centres and focusing on skills development. According to a LinkedIn report, the UAE ranks third globally in attracting artificial intelligence talent relative to its population size.

The UAE also focuses on developing educational institutions that keep pace with future changes. This is a crucial step in major projects such as developing AI language models. The country aims to provide an environment conducive to prosperity and development through its flexible legislative environment and efforts to collaborate with institutions and the private sector.

In conclusion, AlOlama emphasised that forward-thinking leadership and a future-oriented vision are essential for integrating artificial intelligence across all fields. The UAE embodies these qualities as it continues to prioritise technology and digitisation for governmental development and growth.

With inputs from WAM