Guided by a strategic vision and resolute commitment, the UAE has positioned itself as a trailblazer in leveraging AI across diverse sectors, Emirati Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Al-Olama told the World Economic Forum (WEF).

In a session titled Generative AI: Steam Engine of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Al Olama said AI is the driving force and engine of the future.

The session explored the rapid evolution and impact of generative AI, delving into crucial topics like future-proofing digital skills, navigating the global effects of AI, and mitigating challenges while maximizing its production potential.

Al Olama outlined the nation’s ambitious Brain initiative to establish the UAE as a responsible AI leader and emphasized the need for international cooperation in navigating current and future AI opportunities and challenges. He advocated for partnerships with technology giants to maximize positive outcomes and address the technology’s potential downsides.

Highlighting the UAE’s data pool as a valuable asset, Al Olama praised its “uniqueness” due to its diverse population. 

“We have 200 nationalities living in a densely populated area, which allows our data to be unique, and we have cutting-edge infrastructure. Our regulatory regime allows us to move much faster than a country with more bureaucracy,” he added.

The minister emphasized the urgency of AI adoption: “If you use AI, you will be complete; if you don’t, then you will be finished; if you don’t and ignore it, you will be completely finished.”

At the forum, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna told delegates that the AI industry was expected to generate $4 trillion by 2029.

“Governments can learn from how the UAE is implementing AI. We want to deploy AI in oil and gas, increasing the quality of life and reducing the dangers of climate change, while working on reducing the stigma of AI globally,” he said.

“Don’t regulate the technology; regulate the use so innovation isn’t stopped. Hold developers of the AI model accountable from a legal sense. Foster an open economic ecosystem, not a closed ecosystem,” Krishna said.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella praised the UAE’s AI vision, citing the nation’s plan for AI tutors in classrooms as an example of how generative AI positively impacts people worldwide. He highlighted the transformative potential of machine learning tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot in healthcare, education, and software.

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