Smart Dubai CEO, Microsoft to deliver keynote address at Khaleej Times' AI forum

Wesam Lootah, CEO, Smart Dubai Government Establishment, will be delivering the keynote address at the Artelligence Forum, scheduled on April 25-26, 2018, in Dubai, UAE.

Presented by Khaleej Times and MIT Sloan Management Review GCC, the forum will gather over 200 senior government leaders, business leaders and technology innovators together to explore the applications of Artificial Intelligence across different industries.

Dubai has a long history of pioneering technology transformation. In March 2017, Smart Dubai Government Establishment and Dubai's Department of Economic Development (DED) launched "Rashid", the city's first government service utilising artificial intelligence. The service was launched to allow entrepreneurs and investors to ask questions related to setting up a business in Dubai, and to get real-time responses on various topics, including business licensing requirements and registration processes. "Rashid" is designed to understand natural language and ingest and comprehend massive amounts of data, learn and reason from its interactions, and provide responses that will aid users in deciding on correct courses of action.

Speaking about Smart Dubai Government Establishment's initiatives and Khaleej Times' Artelligence forum, Wesam Lootah stated, "In line with the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Smart Dubai has been working diligently over the last year to execute the city's AI roadmap. We have conducted workshops with 13 government entities, and have finalized over 30 use cases to be implemented across Dubai. Platforms such as Artelligence help bring the right knowledge and expertise from across the globe that will help foster the Artificial Intelligence community in the country."

Global technology leader, Microsoft, will be participating in the forum as a 'Strategic Partner'. Speaking about the latest trends in AI and about Khaleej Times' initiative, Sayed Hashish, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf, stated "People and machines bring different qualities and skills to the table. Humans have creativity, empathy, emotion. And when mixed with the computational power of artificial intelligence - we see human ingenuity and passion being brought together with transformative technology, that enables us to tackle some of the daunting challenges and achieve more," said Sayed Hashish.

"Microsoft is no stranger to this effort. We have a rich history in the space and have been helping contribute to - and lead the advancement of AI for 25 years. Our vision is bold, broad and inclusive - we aim to democratize AI, making it accessible for all - and ultimately, improve the human condition."

"The UAE government has a promising strategy for AI across industries and communities, and Microsoft is proud to support this through its innovations. From classrooms to crop fields, hospitals to warehouses, and from government smart services to city streets - we are creating endless possibilities by building AI systems to augment human abilities, and drive better societal as well as business outcomes." he added.

Cognit, A Mubadala and IBM Watson Company, has announced its support as Gold Sponsor for this forum.

For more information or to register, visit www.artelligenceforum.com or email marketing@artelligenceforum.com

• KT Engage