After a new ministry of artificial intelligence was announced in the last UAE’s ministerial reshuffle, some reactions followed that were not so different from when the world-first ministry of tolerance was established in the country. Not everyone looks to the future the way we do in the Emirates.
We might be surprised in the coming years that the country would make more progress than many others. The UAE is dealing with a future environment full of challenges posed by fierce competition with developed countries, But some other countries are still facing challenges that the UAE has already overcome a long time ago.
Years ago, the UAE started making its future. We made projects like Smart Government and then Government of the Future came true. We invested in research, sciences, technology and culture. Our country has set a regional strategy for artificial intelligence and now is the time to ensure its implementation.
That the UAE thought of e-government came as a surprise to some. But for a while now, the country pioneered in the field and was able to accumulate enough experience to share with many other countries.
e-government, futurology, space, developing education and cultural globalism are strategic axes of the future for the Emirates. The new ministry of artificial intelligence is another step towards this future. In a world where global competitiveness reigns, the country should be able to compete with developed nations in creative and innovative thinking.
To keep pace with others and to respond to future challenges, the UAE needs the right ideas, planning and technological infrastructure. The way I see it, the focus on AI and giving young citizens the opportunity to engage in this domain are central to the second wave of development since the establishment of the federal State.
The UAE is preparing to celebrate exporting the last barrel of oil, as stated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The post-oil era starts with embarking on the technologies of the future.
The UAE built a harmonious value system and a successful development model. It is now the time to build the future through investing in young people who received good education and training in the world’s leading academies and universities. The UAE’s has now joined the international competition in AI, showing that Arab and Muslim countries can break modern-day stereotypes of violence and terrorism.
“The new government reshuffle came in response to our recent annual meetings, the launching of UAE’s centenary celebration and the achievement of a range of our long-term goals,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “The new stage is about skills, science and the technologies of the future; for the centenary anniversary, we want to ensure a good future for our next generations,” he said. This government reshuffle comes not to address any present issues but to prepare for and be able to face the challenges of the future. Behind such a step are strategic plans to ensure the UAE has competitive advantages to stay among the top developed countries.
