Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being embraced by governments around the world as a tool to improve efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), AI has played a significant role in shaping government policies and initiatives, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and transportation.
The UAE has been at the forefront of adopting and integrating AI into various sectors, with a focus on using technology to drive innovation and progress.
The government has established initiatives such as the UAE AI Roadmap 2031 and the Dubai 10X initiative, which aim to position the country as a global leader in AI and harness its potential to drive economic growth and improve the lives of citizens.
In this article, we will explore the ways in which AI is being utilized in the UAE’s government policies and initiatives and the impact it is having on various sectors.
“UAE Launches Artificial Intelligence and Coding License to Attract Investment and Talent”
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Coding Licence have been created to encourage investment in AI and attract AI companies and coders to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The license aligns with the goals of the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and allows companies holding the license to work at the DIFC Innovation Hub, a hub for FinTech and innovative companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
It also gives companies the opportunity to provide their employees with UAE Golden Visas. This is the first of its kind in the UAE and was launched by the Dubai International Financial Centre in collaboration with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.
“The UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and Program for Artificial Innovation Aim to Foster Technological Growth and Talent”
The UAE is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) ethically and is committed to rapidly adopting AI technologies in government and fostering AI talent. To achieve this, the UAE has implemented the National AI Strategy 2031 and the UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence. Initiatives in the UAE also aim to support technological businesses and startups by providing access to funding, networks, and a favorable environment for innovation and growth.
The UAE is also focused on cultivating a new generation of talent with expertise in AI and cutting-edge technologies through the integration of AI technologies in education at all levels and the development of AI skills in higher education. There are Several universities in the UAE, including
- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI),
- Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
- Khalifa University
- United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
These universities offer various majors in AI at various levels for those interested in pursuing a career in this field.
These institutions offer both graduate and undergraduate programs in AI, and some are ranked among the top universities for AI by the QS World University Ranking.
In addition, the UAE offers numerous scholarships for those interested in studying AI in the UAE or abroad. These scholarships, provided by organizations such as the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and MBZUAI, support education in ICT-related disciplines at prestigious universities in the UAE and abroad and offer full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and other benefits. Further information on these scholarship opportunities can be found here.
“United Arab Emirates Government Releases Multiple AI-Supportive Initiatives & contests”
The National Program for Coders is an initiative in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that aims to support the growth of the country’s digital economy by developing talent, expertise, and innovation in coding.
UAE Codes Day, celebrated on October 29th, recognizes the importance of coders in UAE society and works to establish the country as a desirable location for coders and a hub for new talent.
The UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence (BRAIN) is a comprehensive collection of resources that demonstrate the advancements in AI and robotics, with a particular focus on the UAE’s goal of becoming a leading participant in the ethical use of AI globally.
This program outlines the various initiatives, collaborations, partnerships, and breakthroughs in the field of AI and their impact on humanity.
The UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence (AI):
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to oversee the integration of AI in the government and education sectors. The council is responsible for proposing policies to promote an AI-friendly environment, support advanced research in AI, and facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors, including international organizations. The goal of the council is to implement the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and position the UAE as a global leader in AI by 2031. To achieve this, the council will create committees and sub-councils to support its efforts.”
The UAE Artificial Intelligence Internship Program is a three-year program that aims to provide practical experiences for 120 Emirati students each year in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As part of the program, 10 students will receive intensive training for 5 days and earn a diploma in Data Engineering and Cloud from Dell Technologies. The students will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in various departments at Dell and attend major events such as GITEX Technology Week.
The goals of the program include preparing a qualified generation of Emiratis for future jobs in the UAE, developing the skills of Emirati youth in AI technology, and awarding a diploma in Data Engineering and Cloud.
Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp:
The UAE government has established the UAE AI Summer Camp in partnership with various technology and education firms. The camp is organized by the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence, which aims to support knowledge transfer and cultivate a generation capable of using advanced technology to address future challenges.
The UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good:
Is a competition that aims to encourage the development of innovative solutions using artificial intelligence and robotics to address challenges in the fields of health, education, and social services.
It also aims to raise awareness of the benefits of these technologies and turn innovative ideas into reality to improve government services in the UAE.
The competition is open to individuals, teams, universities, and companies, both nationally and internationally. UAE citizens and residents can participate in either the national or international competition, while non-UAE citizens and residents can only participate in the international competition.
The UAE is looking to incorporate artificial intelligence into all aspects of government services.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) in the UAE has implemented various artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the healthcare sector. In 2014, MoHaP introduced a robot to perform catheterization and cardiac surgeries at Al Qasimi Hospital.
In 2018, a new robotic device was added to Al Qasimi Hospital to perform complex catheterization and cardiac surgeries, which resulted in a 99.1% clinical success rate in complex cases and a 95% reduction in radiation exposure to the primary operator. Robots are also used for catheterization and cardiac surgeries at Rashid Hospital in Dubai. In April 2019, MoHaP launched a Robotic Surgeries Program in gynaecology and obstetrics.
In 2017, MoHaP introduced a robotic pharmacy at Al Fujairah Hospital to deliver medicines to external clinics, while the Dubai Health Authority launched a robot at Rashid Hospital to dispense medicine without human intervention.
The Medopad app, developed by MoHaP, uses AI technologies to track patients’ daily activities, monitor vital signs, and predict or detect life-threatening medical conditions. It also provides educational and awareness content to assist patients with various conditions.
Artificial intelligence in public services
The Dubai Police introduced the world’s first operational robot police officer, or “Robocop,” in May 2017. The Robocop is equipped with an emotion detector that can recognize gestures and hand signals from up to 1.5 meters away and has the ability to detect a person’s emotions and facial expressions. It can also communicate in six languages, interact and chat with people, respond to queries, shake hands, and offer a military salute.
The Dubai Municipality has also deployed robots on beaches to assist with rescue operations in case of high waves or heavy ocean currents.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security introduced a customer service robot called Hamad in November 2014 to serve customers in its happiness centers all over the country.
while the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has a robot-operated vehicle registration plate maker and robots that clean Dubai Metro stations.
The Digital Dubai Authority has developed Rashid, a chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to provide official and reliable answers to customer questions about various transactions and procedures in Dubai.
In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant progress in adopting and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors, including education, healthcare, and transportation.
As the country aims to become a global leader in AI, drive economic growth, and improve citizens’ lives,.