Digital transformation as an enabler of sustainability

Dubai - Governments using cutting-edge tech to make decisions on education, healthcare and urban development

Sustainability is now at the centre of most conversations globally. It is intrinsic to dialogues on the environment, the economy and increasingly, technology. As digital transformation becomes a key part of government agendas in the region, we are seeing sweeping changes in the way the public and private sector functions, with day-to-day operations increasingly moving online. But above all, the environmental impact of this digitalisation is a game-changer by itself.
Earlier this year, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, kicked off a three-year countdown for implementing the Dubai Paperless Strategy.
As a fully-paperless government, a hundred per cent of internal and customer transactions will be digitised from 2021. As the first phase of the Dubai Paperless Strategy was completed at the end of 2018, six government departments helped reduce paper consumption by an average of 57 per cent, saving 37 million papers in total. A very impressive figure, which is a result typical of the UAE to achieve.
Sustainable cities and communities is one of the key areas under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, and programmes such as the Dubai Paperless Strategy are prominent contributors to this goal, and help to lead by example, especially for the Middle East region. At the same time, as countries around the region undergo the digital transformation of their governance, such programmes act as best practices they can learn from.
The role that technology plays within the realm of sustainability is one that is widely discussed. With artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and big data offering new possibilities and transformative solutions to diverse global challenges, these technologies are among those considered game-changers for sustainability.
Autonomous cars and smart buildings are already a reality and as they see an increased presence globally, the significant positive impact these technologies have on the environment and in society are now the real success stories governments can tell.
We are now said to be in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. And the technological innovations from this period are showing great potential in the transformation of governments and businesses, and creating a deep impact on society and the environment.
Today, governments are using these cutting-edge technologies to make decisions on education, healthcare and urban development. With clear planning and foresight, I am confident governments will be able to keep sustainability at the centre of their development projects.
Being a resident of Dubai for several years, it is very exciting for me to witness the digital transformation of the public sector and be a part of it. As we continue to see further results under the Dubai Paperless Strategy, I hope other countries will look to implement similar programmes for the digital transformation of their governments.
While launching the strategy in 2018, Sheikh Hamdan said: "This reflects our holistic vision for our role as human beings, not only towards Dubai, but towards the world as a whole." I could not agree more. As digital transformation is implemented across sectors, we will no doubt see a growing positive impact on society. And this is central to everything we aim to do as technology companies.
The writer is vice-president of software solutions of Gulf Business Machines. Views expressed are his own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.