The Future of AI in the UAE

“He loves his country best who strives to make it best.”

– Robert Green Ingersoll

Whenever we talk about countries that grew exponentially in a very short span of time, the UAE is always at the top of the list. From a small dusty frontier to the most iconic tourist spot, the UAE evolved in just half a century. While the discovery of oil in 1958 is something that stimulated the boom of this country, there are lots of other factors that make the UAE one of the most advanced economies of the world. Considering these factors, the future of AI in the UAE is nothing but promising. 

The UAE’s government always strives to raise the bar higher. This is the reason that in 2017, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai launched the UAE Centennial 2071 project, intending to make UAE the world’s best country over the next 50 years (from 2021 to 2071). The main idea of this project is to ensure greater growth opportunities for the coming generations. 

The project mainly focuses on four core areas: Economy, Education, Government Development, and Community Building. Since this is an era of information technology and artificial intelligence, the UAE has been continuously undertaking measures to adopt advanced technologies. This proactive approach ensures a flourishing future for AI in the UAE, enabling the nation to better achieve its objectives.

Future of Artificial Intelligence in the UAE 

A few months after the announcement of the UAE Centennial 2071 project, in October 2017, the UAE government launched the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. The primary objective of this strategy is to make the UAE the world leader in AI by 2031. Since then, the UAE has been greatly implementing artificial intelligence in all major sectors including education, transportation, energy, space, and so forth. Let’s dive a bit deeper into how these measures are shaping the future of AI in the UAE. 

1. Initiation of AI Ministry 

With the launch of the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, UAE appointed His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. The idea behind setting up the ministry was to be at the leading edge of the global technological revolution. To accelerate the country’s mission of being the leader in AI, in 2019, the ministry instigated the Think AI initiative. The initiative would conduct a series of workshops and events that would focus on the challenges involved in integrating AI in various sectors of the UAE and attracting talent from around the world. Eventually, the initiatives will boost the future of AI in the UAE.

2. Incorporation of AI in the Healthcare Sector 

UAE is taking a great deal of initiatives to incorporate advanced technology and artificial intelligence in its healthcare sector, especially after COVID-19. The aim is to use technology and robotics to automate various surgical procedures as well as gather and analyze data about various chronic diseases to identify root causes behind them and hence come up with solutions to prevent these diseases.   

3. Integration of AI in the Aviation Sector 

The implantation of AI technology has already started transforming the aviation sector. A number of measures are being taken to adopt AI in flight management, air traffic control, and airplane management. The goal is to minimize operational issues and optimize efficiency. In July 2023, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively take steps and conduct research about finding out possibilities as to how AI could transform the way aviation sector functions. The collaboration aims to create training opportunities for students, leading them to broaden their understanding of the aviation industry and discover the power of AI in resolving the challenges of this industry. 

4. Implementation of AI in the Education Sector 

UAE government acknowledges the importance of implementing AI to automate various administrative tasks in the education sector, such as creating lesson plans, assessing performance, grading, and so forth. When such tasks are managed automatically, teachers and trainers have more time to focus on creating strategies that can help them provide tailored guidance to students. Apart from the automation of teaching methods, various schools and universities are introducing specialized programs and courses to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop a career in the field of technology and data sciences. 

Future of AI in the UAE 

With the incorporation of advanced methodologies and AI in almost all large sectors of the UAE, the demand for a workforce with specialization in AI and technology is exponentially surging. This will keep increasing as the long-term goal of the UAE is to become the top leader in AI and then eventually the best and most advanced country in the world. To make the future of AI in the UAE thrive, the country welcomes talent from all across the world. Individuals with expertise in data sciences, machine learning, business analytics, digital marketing, blockchain technology, etc. have countless opportunities to build a growing career in UAE.