- Private sector will choose Dubai for its talent, for its investments into AI that is global in nature and built out of this city.
- Dubai seeks to develop a leading, proactive, and future-oriented model and lead the AI conversation.
Dubai is well on track to become a preferred global AI hub due to the concerted efforts of the government and in partnership with the private sector and will shape the Emirate’s next 185 years of development, a top official said.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, speaking at the AI Retreat 2024 event in Dubai, said that Dubai has become an indispensable partner of choice for AI developers, startups, and companies from around the world.
More than 2,500 distinguished UAE leaders and AI experts, policymakers, government officials and industry stakeholders took part in the AI Retreat to engage in conversations on AI legislation and policy, and on the ethical use of AI, as well as on the best ways of convening AI communities and talent.
Staying competitive
Al Olama urged the participants to utilise the available tools effectively to stay competitive and avoid falling behind in the global AI race.
“Dubai seeks to develop a leading, proactive, and future-oriented model and lead the AI conversation through the establishment of this platform and his recent announcement of 22 Chief AI officers in government departments across Dubai,” he said.
Moreover, he said that each officer had been appointed after a careful assessment of their skills to advance Dubai’s AI vision.
“Another initiative is the training of one million proficient engineers. This effort is not merely because these skills will remain relevant in ten years, but because individuals possessing them can elevate their nation’s power today.”
UAE ranks third globally in attracting AI talent relative to its population size, after Luxembourg and Switzerland, and first regionally – up from 11th place in 2021, according to a report by LinkedIn in collaboration with Stanford University.
AI is reality now
The UAE also ranked 15th globally for its AI skills, up from the 20th place last year.
The Minister had earlier stated that the UAE expects AI to contribute 14 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 and increase productivity by 50 per cent.
According to PwC Middle East, the Middle East is expected to accrue two per cent of the total global benefits of AI in 2030, which is equivalent to $320 billion.
In absolute terms, the largest gains are expected to accrue to Saudi Arabia where AI is expected to contribute over $135.2 billion in 2030 to the economy, equivalent to 12.4% of GDP. In relative terms, the UAE is expected to see the largest impact of close to 14% of 2030 GDP.
“AI is not a future vision; it is our reality now. In Dubai, we operate differently. Our long-term vision for our physical infrastructure was first implemented in 1958, and it took essentially 185 years until 2023 for Dubai’s infrastructure to be considered among the best in the world. Similarly, with AI, we are looking at implementing our AI vision for the next 185 years, starting today,” he said.
Furthermore, he urged the private sector to start their journey from Dubai to invest in AI and enhance their talents for its enabling legislation, as much because AI is integral to DUB-AI.
“In Dubai, we don’t wait for change to happen, we accelerate change, we drive change, and we rally the rest of the world to work with us.”