Abu Dhabi Digital Authority signs deal with Intel to accelerate digital transformation

The two entities will conduct studies to support the authority's Artificial Intelligence Lab

ADDA is leading the digital future of Abu Dhabi by supporting its government partners to deliver services and build technology-driven ecosystem. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) signed an agreement with America's biggest chip maker, Intel, to speed up the pace of digital transformation in the emirate.

The two entities will conduct studies to support ADDA’s Artificial Intelligence Lab and accelerate the application of “high-impact practices” related to new technologies, ADDA said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“We are confident that our cooperation with one of the largest international companies of its kind will give us an opportunity to maximise the potential of ADDA,” Abdulla Alkendi, executive director of technology and policies at ADDA, said.

The authority is working with strategic partners like Intel to provide the necessary technological knowledge and expertise to promote digital transformation in Abu Dhabi, he added.

The agreement will see Intel supporting ADDA from its innovation centre in Dubai, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices.

“The joint efforts will lead to further empowerment for our customers to enjoy easy, smooth and proactive services through the Abu Dhabi government services platform, Tamm,” Mr Alkendi said.

A product of  Abu Dhabi’s accelerator programme, Ghadan21, Tamm provides customers with a range of government services through a single point of access. Using this service, customers can have direct access to information without having to visit each government entity separately.

The move aims to reduce in-person visits to public organisations by consolidating service transactions into a single touchpoint.

Intel will host a series of workshops covering areas such as blockchain, edge computing, augmented reality, video analytics, Internet of Things, AI and workplace transformation.

“We are working closely with our partners and customers in the UAE to facilitate and enhance the digital transformation journey and be part of realising the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030,” said Taha Khalifa, client computing group sales director for Intel in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“This [agreement] will enhance our cooperation, shared experiences and exchange of knowledge in support of ADDA’s AI initiatives and applications.”

ADDA is responsible for supporting government partners by helping to deliver services digitally and build a technology-driven ecosystem.

In October last year, it signed an agreement with US company Hewlett Packard Enterprise to accelerate the execution of data management programmes.

It also unveiled a new data management programme the same month that falls within an open data initiative launched under Ghadan 21.