Dubai has recently unveiled a strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI), an annual initiative aimed at leveraging AI’s capabilities to enhance global quality of life.
The strategy will begin with the appointment of AI CEOs in government entities, followed by establishing an AI and WEB3 Incubator that will vie to become a leading global hub for AI and tech firms.
This hub will attract innovators, startups, and AI pioneers worldwide, facilitating the development of their concepts into successful ventures. Additionally, the plan introduces AI Week in educational institutions to integrate it into the curriculum, fostering skills such as coding.
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The strategy also includes launching the Dubai Commercial License for AI to draw specialised firms and individuals, stimulate investments, and reinforce Dubai’s status as a premier tech and innovation hub. Allocation of land for data centers will further bolster Dubai’s digital infrastructure.
This annual strategy underscores Dubai’s commitment to becoming the world’s top city for tech adoption and innovation implementation.
In a recent interview to Business Recorder, Semih Kumluk, Head of AI and Digital at PwC, shared his insights on Dubai’s newly launched Artificial Intelligence blueprint, aimed at harnessing its potential to enhance the city’s quality of life.
Kumluk believes the blueprint will increase utilisation, driving AI adoption across government institutions and the private sector.
“This blueprint will be a very good solution to empower government institutions to increase the utilization of AI,” he said.
The appointment of AI CEOs in each government entity will spearhead this transformation, promoting data programs, awareness, and upskilling. “Having an AI CEO will boost this transformation effort because they will lead the data programmes, push awareness, and build expertise within government entities,” Kumluk explained.
The AI and Web 3 incubator will attract startups, investors, and talent, positioning Dubai as a global hub for AI and technology companies.
“It will promote startups, allow networking between investors and startups, and attract investors to come to Dubai,” he said.
AI Week in schools and colleges will cultivate a new generation of AI professionals, while the Dubai commercial license for AI will draw specialised companies and individuals.
“It will create a lot of enthusiasm and motivate the younger generation to fill the roles that will emerge in the near future,” Kumluk noted.
Kumluk also highlighted the crucial role of data centers in supporting Dubai’s digital transformation, ensuring data remains within the UAE and meeting personal data protection requirements.
“Data centers will play a significant role in supporting Dubai’s digital transformation journey, especially with the personal data protection law requiring data to remain physically within the UAE,” he said.
AI applications in various sectors, such as transportation (self-driving taxis), healthcare, and education, will transform the city’s landscape. However, challenges like due diligence and valuation services for startup investments must be addressed.
“Due diligence will be crucial to overcome the potential challenge of startup investments,” Kumluk warned.
Dubai’s AI initiative will also have a ripple effect, impacting the wider Middle East region and beyond.
“We might soon see similar initiatives from the rest of the region aiming to increase the quality of life for the population,” he said.
“The combination of vision, initiatives, and incentives will prepare the ground for Dubai to become a leader in AI and technology,” Kumluk concluded.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024