Statements on the Sidelines of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence 1st Meeting

The UAE Artificial Intelligence Council held its first meeting in Abu Dhabi where its high-profile members discussed the Council’s role in implementing the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Members gave the below statements on the sidelines of the meeting:

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Director-General of Fujairah’s Department of e-Government, said: “I was delighted to participate in the first meeting of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence, chaired by H.E. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. The platform allows for the sharing and discussion of ideas that are aimed at achieving the vision and strategy of the UAE to be one of the world’s foremost pioneers in the adoption of artificial intelligence. The technology stands to contribute to the development of all sectors, improve government performance, increase economic returns and ultimately, provide a better life for the country’s citizens and residents.”

“The launch of The UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence reflects the government’s commitment to capitalising on the advantages presented by the ever-accelerating technological revolution. We aim to benefit from its capabilities and to employ it towards finding solutions that lead to sustainable development,” H.H. added.

H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah’s Department of eGovernment, said: “Forming the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence reflects the UAE Government’s forward-thinking vision to develop all sectors and improve government services. It is a development that goes hand in hand with the technological revolution that is accelerating in our time, allowing us to benefit from its potential and employ it to create bold, hi-tech solutions to challenges across various sectors in the UAE.”

“This decision reinforces the UAE Vision 2021, which calls for taking advantage of all the advanced technologies of our time, and for embracing artificial intelligence, which is the main engine of progress in various fields of knowledge, as well as in various government and private institutions in the UAE,” H.H. Al-Qasimi added. “This, in turn, allows us to keep pace with the developments of the digital revolution, and accelerate our digital transformation, where AI is a prime source of advanced solutions to complex challenges.”

H.E. Dr Rawda Al-Saadi, Director General at the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC), said: “The UAE continues to be at the forefront of technological development. To better facilitate the country’s strategy of economic diversification, we are working on the development of tools that will be an integral part of government operations. Our goal is to utilise the latest technology to enhance cooperation and the effective exchange of data between the public and private sectors.”

“This will help us cope with the rapid changes that are a feature of the nascent Fourth Industrial Revolution and will help us improve overall performance at all levels,” she added, noting that the Council will also enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a centre for technological innovation.

H.E. Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai Office (SDO), said: “The inaugural meeting of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence embodies the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, and their vision to embrace the adoption of artificial intelligence nationwide. The UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence supports the country’s quest for sustainable development and a secure, prosperous future, ensuring it stands out as a leader in AI implementation by 2031.”

H.E. Dr Aisha explained that AI is already transforming people’s lives and significantly improving the quality of services. With that in mind, the UAE Government has sought to employ these technologies to build an integrated government system that provides best-in-class services to the public, saving them time and effort and leading to higher standards of living.

“The first meeting of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence is already facilitating the exchange of ideas and visions, showcasing the experiences of local government departments in terms of implementing artificial intelligence technology in their services,” Dr Aisha said. “The meeting also offered a platform for showcasing examples of how the technology could be optimally implemented to serve the economy, address current and future challenges, and forge strategic partnerships between Smart Dubai and other local and federal organisations.”

As part of its efforts towards Artificial Intelligence deployment in Dubai, the Smart Dubai Office has conducted 11 workshops, training several government entities on AI development, resulting in 100 potential use cases, out of which 30 are currently in the Proof of Concept or Project Implementation stage, Dr Aisha revealed.

H.E. Ohood Al Shuhail, Director-General of Ajman’s Digital Government, said: “The UAE is an established leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was one of the first countries in the world to formulate a clear AI strategy and to appoint a dedicated minister to oversee developments in this arena. In addition to enacting the required legislation and regulatory frameworks, it has formed the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence, which includes a number of prominent government officials with AI expertise.”

H.E. asserted that the UAE is at the forefront of the AI revolution because of its human capital assets that place it ahead of other countries; namely young local talent and bright minds from around the world who are attracted to the country because of its advanced infrastructure, its embrace of the latest technologies and its support for innovation. H.E. Al Shuhail applauded the efforts of H.E. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Chairman of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence, who she said has ensured the UAE’s number one spot in the sphere of AI.

H.E. Ahmed bin Saeed Al Sayah, General Manager of the eGovernment Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, said: “It is a great honour to be part of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence, which embodies the leadership’s vision to implement the best global practices in this industry, as led by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Chairman of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence.”

H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulation Authority (TRA), said: “Our wise leadership views Artificial Intelligence as a vital form of technology that will contribute to achieving the sustainable development of our community, as well as a tool that will work for the greater good of humanity. That’s why our government is committed to the full adoption of AI technologies and the application of big data. The Telecommunications Regulation Authority works closely with the UAE’s e-governments to facilitate the transition to the post-electronic and smart government era, to a new one where artificial intelligence takes centre stage. It is a great honour to be member of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence.”

H.E. Al Mansouri confirmed TRA’s commitment to supporting the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and to continue working towards achieving the sustainable development of UAE society by investing in youth and human capital, encouraging the dissemination of knowledge and promoting innovation.

H.E. Mohamed bin Taliah, Assistant Director-General for Government Services Sector, Assistant Director-General for Corporate Services Sector at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said: “Guided by the long-term vision of its wise leadership, the UAE was early to embark on a journey to the future. And today, we take another step forward, launching the ambitious UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which supports the country’s efforts to build the future and embrace its instruments, in an effort to remain on top of the rapid technological developments taking place around the world, and utilise them to serve people and ensure their wellbeing.”

“Forming the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence is an another step forward in this journey, one that will have a positive impact in accelerating the efforts to adequately implement this technology, and transforming government services in the UAE,” H.E. bin Taliah continued.

H.E. Khalid Sultan Al Shamsi, General Manager of the eGovernment Department in Umm Al Quwain, said: “I was delighted to be chosen as one of the members of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence, and I thank our leadership for the valuable confidence it has placed in me. Artificial intelligence is set to play a major role in transforming the UAE into a global laboratory for advanced sciences, and will firmly place the country on the global technological map. Together, we will work to achieve the objectives of the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, maintain data security, and ensure the proper use of AI technology in the UAE.”