UAE Program for Artificial Intelligence

January 24, 2020

Many people still associate artificial intelligence (AI) with science fiction, but AI develops fast and becomes more commonplace in our daily and business lives. In business, artificial intelligence has a wide range of uses. In fact, most of us interact with artificial intelligence in some form or another on a daily basis. While some people are afraid that digitalization, technology will replace many professions – yet we should rather consider it as a supporting tool. Even more, a number of research surveys suggests that AI doesn’t always perform best on its own. AI technologies are great at driving or even replacing the lower-level, repetitive tasks, but businesses often achieve the greatest performance improvements when humans and machines work together. I am inclined to believe that it is nothing better than joint forces of human and technology, as one cannot exist without another.

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the UAE’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, marking a new level of innovation built on Smart Government. The strategy is the first of its kind in the region and the world and will see investment in the latest AI technologies and tools to enhance government performance and efficiency.

The AI strategy has five themes:

• the formation of the UAE AI Council
• workshops, programmes, initiatives and field visits to government bodies
• develop capabilities and skills of all staff operating in the field of technology and organise training courses for government officials
• provide all services via AI and the full integration of AI into medical and security services
• launch leadership strategy and issue a government law on the safe use of AI.