The 21st century is truly the age of technology, where every year brings with it previously unimaginable advancements that shower progress on every industry. Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP
The 21st century is truly the age of technology, where every year brings with it previously unimaginable advancements that shower progress on every industry. Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP

As machines take over, what happens to the human touch?



The machines are taking over in the UAE. While this may seem like a line from the latest Hollywood science-fiction movie trailer, a trip to the Drivers Licensing Department of Abu Dhabi Police to register your car will prove that it’s really happening. The day many have longed for, and others have feared, has finally arrived: machines, not humans, are now serving customers.

The 21st century is truly the age of technology, where every year brings with it previously unimaginable advances that shower progress on every industry. Gone are the days when only the elderly would reminisce and marvel in wonder at the progress achieved through technology; one now only need look back at the past five years to see the enormous leaps we have made in the fields of communications, health, security and government services, to mention only a few.

The machines have taken the next step – to the front lines of customer service, bringing quick and accurate service without any need for human interaction.

Registering your car in Abu Dhabi was once a process that could take days and sometimes weeks to complete. Until quite recently, you would still need to put aside up to half a day to complete the task. Now you can register a car in less than an hour, without ever having to deal with an upset service agent or empty desk again.

Along the wall, standing as if at attention on the front lines of the traffic department, are large kiosks with short queues of customers. To use the machines, you just punch in your Emirates ID, confirm your name and, when required, make your payment online through a credit or debit card. After you’ve paid the processing fee, out of the machine drops your insurance card and date sticker to place on your licence plate. From start to finish, the process involves no human factor.

It is an unforgettable experience everyone should try at least one. Yet, it is hard not to notice the empty counters where not so long ago more than 10 Emirati customer-service operators of various ages worked from morning to late in the evening to help customers register their cars and resolving traffic-police issues.

Of course, change is inevitable, and similar thoughts were expressed when machines replaced humans in factories and in certain jobs in construction, transport and medicine.

More than those elsewhere in the world, people in the UAE understand the need to adapt and welcome change with open arms. But with these bold steps being taken in the name of progress, perhaps some consideration should be given to the Emirati employees who will be affected by this change and the knowledge that may be lost when machines continue to take over the jobs performed by humans.

And while it is undeniable that the UAE has achieved so much in the past few decades in terms of customer service, the fact remains that we are still relatively new to this area and there is still much to learn.

The customer service provided by the agents at the Licensing Department was not always perfect, but they were learning the trade in the best place to do so – on the front line with the customers. The knowledge acquired over the past 40 years by the people working in government services – in particular the lessons learnt from dealing with upset customers – should be collected and built upon, and transferred from manager to employee in the years to come.

But with the introduction of even newer technology, this noble journey may be coming to an end. Technology is undoubtedly a blessing for our generation, but perhaps we should only introduce it in areas that we are confident we have mastered and are now ready to pass on to the machines.

Taryam Al Subaihi is a political and social commentator who specialises in media and communications

On Twitter: @TaryamAlSubaihi

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
A general guide to how active you are:

Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary

5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active

10,000  - 12,500 steps - active

12,500 - highly active

HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India  1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps

Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.

Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5

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.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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