Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan launches digital strategy for emirate; new high-tech projects lined up

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, launched Dubai's Digital Strategy on Wednesday, with it centred on seven key pillars — the digital city, digital economy, data and statistics, digital talent, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital competitiveness.

The launch, which took place during Sheikh Hamdan's visit to the headquarters of Digital Dubai, aims to enhance the outputs of the digital economy, increase the positive impact of Digital Wellbeing by 90%, achieve top rankings in the United Nations' Local Online Service Index, and launch 50 digital city experiences that are seamless, interconnected, proactive, predictable, and high-impact. The strategy also aims to equip over 50,000 professionals with advanced digital qualifications.

World's digital capital

The launch of the strategy sets the stage for a new era of digital transformation, in line with the leadership's vision to position Dubai as a global role model in the sector.

Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the progress of its various initiatives, the work done by various teams in preparation for upcoming stages of Dubai's Digital Strategy, and the latest projects Digital Dubai is developing in collaboration with government entities.

"Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai has completed three outstanding phases in its digital journey, starting with the launch of the region's first e-government in 2001, followed by a smart government initiative in 2013, and then the government-wide digital transformation, which culminated in fully eliminating paper transactions by the end of 2021," His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said.

"These stages served as the prelude to Dubai's new Digital Strategy, which cements Dubai's position as the world's digital capital. The period ahead calls for intensifying efforts, strengthening cooperation, and promoting proactive thinking and innovation to achieve major goals."

Seven key pillars

The city's new Digital Strategy is based on a vision to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai and establish a reliable, robust digital system that enhances the digital economy and empowers a digitally-driven society. The Strategy is centred on seven key pillars, namely, the digital city, digital economy, data and statistics, digital talent, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital competitiveness. The Strategy aims to enhance the outputs of the digital economy, increase the positive impact of Digital Wellbeing by 90%, achieve top rankings in the United Nations' Local Online Service Index, and launch 50 digital city experiences that are seamless, interconnected, proactive, predictable, and high-impact. The strategy also aims to equip over 50,000 professionals with advanced digital qualifications.

Digitisation rate of government services now at 99.5%

The strategy, launched by Sheikh Hamdan, represents an advanced stage and a new milestone in Dubai's digital transformation journey. The digitisation rate of government services is now at 99.5%, while the paperless government objective has been achieved 100 and digital transactions account for 87% of total government service transactions. Moreover, over 120 government smartphone applications have been developed, while government entities have recorded a compliance rate of over 80% with cybersecurity indicators and 100% compliance with the Dubai Data Law.

The Crown Prince of Dubai highlighted the importance of these achieved targets and said that the current stage of the city's digital transformation calls for an integrated, holistic system where all stakeholders join the effort to drive a game-changing shift in embracing technological breakthroughs that have already started to radically transform work and productivity patterns.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed's visit to the Digital Dubai headquarters reflects the leadership's commitment and the close attention it pays to all projects and efforts, in a bid to ensure the best quality of life in Dubai.

During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan expressed his confidence in the Dubai Government team and its highly skilled and competent members. He commended their work in the field of digital transformation at Digital Dubai and other entities. "Dubai's competencies have always been a key element of its distinction," His Highness said. "Just as we have succeeded in every stage of our transformation so far, by relying on our highly qualified professionals, we are confident today that we will also achieve our future aspirations and move forward towards another higher and more ambitious objective."

"In order for us to accomplish what we aspire to, we must enhance cooperation and coordination between various entities in the Dubai Government," Sheikh Hamdan noted. "This era of major technological transformation calls for maximum integration and cooperation between all sectors. We must listen to customers and strive to keep pace with their needs and expectations that are changing at the same pace as these technologies are progressing."

Take advantage of new technologies

Sheikh Hamdan stressed the need to take advantage of new technologies of all kinds, saying: "Artificial Intelligence and generative AI technologies provide tremendous opportunities to capitalise on and develop proactive services, rooted in a deeper insight and understanding of customers. We must explore the potential of these technologies and use them to enhance our efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity."

For his part, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan for his visit, saying that His Highness's directives will guide Digital Dubai's plans and operations in the stage ahead. "This is a happy day for our team here at Digital Dubai," he said. "Nothing can be more encouraging for us than to hear words of encouragement from our leaders, and to see our efforts appreciated by the leadership. This encouragement is a powerful incentive for us to strive towards greater achievements, as an expression of our determination to ensure Dubai's spot at the forefront, and position it as a role model in the field of digital transformation and smart cities."

"Digital Dubai will work with all of our partners, including government entities and private establishments, as one team tasked with optimally implementing the Strategy, all the while keeping pace with promising technologies, so that together, we add a new success story to Dubai's history and chart a new future centred around a comprehensive digital life," Al Mansoori said.

Digital City Experiences initiative

During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan also launched the Digital City Experiences initiative, which aims to develop an integrated and connected city, providing consistent digital experiences to citizens, residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs. The initiative seeks to achieve these objectives by connecting fragmented digital services in Dubai, compiling them all into an integrated system that values privacy, focuses on users, and provides them with options.

The initiative will also offer experiences through unified digital channels, where users, including citizens, visitors, and companies in Dubai, can enjoy an easy and seamless experience that saves them time and effort. This approach is a cornerstone of the digital service delivery system, elevating the quality of digital life to its highest levels.