UAE looks to artificial intelligence strategy to prepare for the future

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said move will affect 'all our services, sectors and future infrastructure'

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launched the UAE's first Artificial Intelligence strategy last week. Courtesy Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and The Future

The Vice President has set out a new artificial intelligence drive that will one day affect "all our services, sectors and future infrastructure".

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, also the Ruler of Dubai, announced the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, a major initiative within the UAE Centennial 2070 objectives, state news agency Wam reported.

"UAE Centennial 2071 forges ahead now by launching mega enterprises like Artificial Intelligence to lay a sold basis for the coming period," Wam quoted Sheikh Mohammed as saying, adding that AI is "the new wave after the Smart Government upon which all our services, sectors and future infrastructure will rely on."

"We initiated electronic services 16 years go and today we are launching a fresh stage relying on Artificial Intelligence.

"We are seeking to adopt all tools and methodologies related to artificial intelligence to expedite and ensure more efficiency for government services at all levels."

The UAE seeks to be a major hub for developing AI techniques and associated legislation, he said, adding that "our 2071 Strategy is founded on a set of fundamentals, primarily Artificial Intelligence across all our government and private sectors."

He said the development of artificial intelligence will generate new revenue and provide fresh opportunities for the national economy.