“Proactive governments will play a leading role in shaping the future of AI,” said H.E. Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and the Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office, during a fireside chat at the Dubai Assembly for Generative AI held at the Museum of the Future. 

The minister discussed how, as technology continues to mature, we can anticipate a proliferation of applications that cater to the needs of individuals, businesses, and society. While these advancements are exciting, they also entail a responsibility to ensure ethical and responsible deployment to harness the technology’s full potential for the betterment of our world.

“We are witnessing a snowballing effect across industries,” he added.

Highlighting the role of regulators in establishing ethical frameworks for AI applications, the minister addressed the debate surrounding its governance. “You can’t control AI. It’s impossible. Anyone claiming otherwise is foolish, and I say this with humility. You can’t govern the technology but can govern the use cases.”

Illustrating the need for governance, he cited the example of electricity regulation. He emphasized that the UAE advocates for governance in various verticals, including large language models and self-driving cars.

When asked whether people should be concerned about AI displacing jobs and if such fears were justified, the minister asked the audience: “Is everyone worried about meteorites hitting the Earth? We must be pragmatic and acknowledge our fears.”

Referring to the decades it took world leaders to champion climate action and arrive at the 1.5 degrees manifesto, he remarked, “Can we afford to wait 20 years to govern AI? It would be a catastrophe.”

Hinting at the government’s ongoing commitment to AI regulation and ethics, he stated, “Our situation in the UAE is unique, with over 200 nationalities. We must ensure that what’s ethically sound applies to everyone in the room.”

“Some people see Gen AI as a silver bullet; we are exploring its deployment in industries where controversy is minimal and focusing on improving the quality of life.”

The fireside chat concluded with the minister imparting tips on thriving alongside the Gen AI hype. 

“No one who changed the world did so out of fear. They pushed the envelope by channeling their fears. Empower yourself with the tools, stay informed, and collaborate with others. The future will be collective, not selfish,” H.E. Olama added.