Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, addresses the World Conference on Creative Economy at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, addresses the World Conference on Creative Economy at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, addresses the World Conference on Creative Economy at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, addresses the World Conference on Creative Economy at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The Nat

Artificial intelligence is spurring renaissance and redefining creativity in arts


Alvin R Cabral
  • English
  • Arabic

The growing influence of artificial intelligence in arts and culture is spurring interest and an influx of investments due to the unique nature of works and the market opportunity being created, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications said.

Arts and culture can benefit from new-age ideas, especially now that the world has reached a point where the convergence of digital and physical has become a reality, Omar Al Olama said.

"This as a trend has created a new wave of investments, a new wave of auctions, a new wave of excitement and of people investing in AI art," Mr Al Olama said during the World Conference on Creative Economy at Expo 2020 Dubai on Wednesday.

The rise of AI tools has made it easier for creators to express themselves and make their works more accessible to people, as well as removing costly or time-consuming tasks such as traditional drawing or painting.

The relationship between artists and AI is still evolving, according to technology portal Towards Data Science, which also argues that AI could be another tool for artists.

There are no clear-cut figures regarding the market for AI art, but if auctions are to be taken into consideration, it has the potential to be lucrative. In October, Portrait of Edmond Belamy, the first AI-generated artwork sold at auction house Christie's, fetched $432,500 – almost 45 times its estimate. AI art refers to pieces created by algorithms on feedback provided.

Botto, which calls itself a decentralised artist but is technically an AI algorithm that generates artwork based on community feedback, last month sold over $1.3 million at an auction of its first six non-fungible token creations.

The NFT sales surged 328 per cent quarter-on-quarter to a record high of $10.7 billion in the third quarter of 2021, and a staggering 78,000 per cent leap from only $13.7m in the first half of 2020, data from industry tracker DappRadar showed. Fittingly, NFTs from arts and collectibles were the most popular items.

These algorithms are going to be key in promoting the market forward, Mr Al Olama said.

"The code itself is in the design, it's a code where many of these systems are trained on art pieces and then are allowed to express themselves," he added.

"We are seeing now that these systems are surely becoming tools that we can use to create new forms of expression and also tools that we take seriously in the future of governing this field."

AI is also being used to considerably condense literary works. OpenAI, a research firm that counts Tesla chief executive Elon Musk as one of its founders, recently showcased an algorithm that can summarise lengthy books into a couple of sentences by first summarising the original text into sections, then into smaller sections and finally into the main idea of ​​the book.

We are seeing now that these systems are surely becoming tools that we can use to create new forms of expression and also tools that we take seriously in the future of governing this field
Omar Al Olama,
UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications

It published two famous titles to demonstrate its capabilities: Alice in Wonderland, whose 26,449 words were reduced to 136, and Romeo and Juliet, from 25,443 to 121.

Music is also being entrenched by AI technology. Merck Mercuriadis, a former music manager, formed the Hipgnosis Songs Fund to acquire music rights and use blockchain-traded NFTs to bring a new level of transparency to music royalties.

Mr Al Olama also dismissed nagging concerns that AI will replace human jobs, saying it would complement humans and will allow them to perform duties better and in a more encouraging way.

"I don't want to tell you that you're going to be replaced by AI; if anything, I actually want to promote the fact that we're going to be enabled by AI," he said.

Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club

  • 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
  • 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
  • 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
  • 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16

Squads:

  • UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
  • Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdited%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Idries%20Trevathan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hirmer%20Publishers%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
​​​​​​​Bloomsbury Academic

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

RACE SCHEDULE

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm

Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm

Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm

Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)

Nancy Ajram

(In2Musica)

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
 

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)

Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City

Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)

MIDWAY

Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Updated: December 09, 2021, 8:01 AM