A Visionary Leap into AI

The UAE is poised to emerge as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence, driven by an ambitious vision to integrate AI across all sectors. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is committed to making the UAE the world’s most prepared nation for AI. This commitment is underpinned by strategic investments and initiatives that promise to reshape the nation’s economy and society.

Educational Initiatives: Cultivating Future Talent

Recognising the importance of a skilled workforce, the UAE is investing substantially in AI education. The government, led by the Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, is implementing programmes focused on youth development and STEM education. These initiatives include funding for student-focused boot camps and enhanced academic curricula that emphasise AI and technology. By fostering a new generation of skilled professionals, the UAE aims to secure its place as a hub for innovation and expertise in artificial intelligence.

Ethical Frameworks: A Responsible Approach to AI

As the UAE embraces the transformative power of AI, it is equally committed to ensuring that its deployment is ethical and responsible. The introduction of an international AI policy highlights the nation’s focus on aligning technological advancements with societal values.

Al Marri emphasises the need for AI to enhance people’s lives while addressing ethical, social, and environmental concerns. This balanced approach seeks to drive innovation while positioning the UAE as a leader in global discussions on responsible AI usage, fostering an environment where technology serves humanity.

The UAE is also making strides in AI infrastructure, currently possessing the 36th most powerful high-performance computer in the world. The private sector dominates the UAE’s AI ecosystem, owning 89 per cent of the total AI-related processing power. Academic institutions like NYU Abu Dhabi are home to large-scale systems, such as “Dalma,” a supercomputer with over 870 CPUs and 30 GPUs. Our survey identified more than ten high-end AI systems owned by the government, academia, and private sectors, showcasing the UAE's growing capabilities in this field.

GITEX Global 2024: A Recap

The 44th edition of Gitex Global, held from October 14-18, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour, showcased an unprecedented exhibition space of over 40 halls, featuring more than 6,500 exhibitors and 1,800 emerging companies from over 180 countries. This year’s event emphasized digital transformation and investment in technology, with AI taking centre stage.

AI-Powered Innovations

The exhibition featured groundbreaking proposals for AI-powered autonomous vehicles, including XPeng AeroHT’s eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) flying cars, marking a potential revolution in urban mobility.

With over 120 hours of debates and panels, Gitex 2024 explored AI's transformative potential across various sectors, emphasizing the need for collaboration to address global challenges.

Highlights from the Event

Dubai: Innovation and Security

Dubai Police presented its latest innovations, including the “Digital Twin for Tourist Police,” an AI-powered platform enhancing the tourist experience by providing real-time assistance. The police force also promoted the upcoming World Police Summit, aimed at fostering global collaboration in community safety.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library also concluded its participation leaving its impact on everybody.

Additionally, Dubai Police provided visitors with a detailed overview of the key themes and objectives of the upcoming World Police Summit, scheduled for 13–15 May 2025, in Dubai, under the theme “Designing the Future of Policing.” The summit will address global changes in line with the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

The Library’s stand attracted a wide range of visitors from public and private sector organisations, as well as individuals from the UAE and abroad. Visitors were given the opportunity to explore the Library’s cutting-edge services, innovative facilities, and the advanced technologies it uses to enhance access to its vast knowledge resources.

At Gitex Global 2024, the Library highlighted its “A World in Your Language” initiative, which leverages artificial intelligence to offer reading and listening options in eight languages, providing a personalised experience for diverse audiences. The Library also showcased the benefits of its membership programme, which offers various categories to cater to different needs. Members gain access to a wide range of library services, from reserving and borrowing books to utilising digital databases and other resources.

Throughout the event, the Library’s team engaged with visitors, providing comprehensive information on its digital services and features, and answering questions on how to access the wealth of knowledge it offers. Feedback and suggestions were also collected through the 04 Platform, the Dubai Government’s unified communication channel.

Abu Dhabi: Towards an AI-Native Government

— anam@khaleejtimes.com