The United Arab Emirates is setting its sights to be the nation of the future. Dubai is home to a number of futuristic projects including plans to create a Mars science city, and programs for renewable energy and electric vehicles (including flying taxis and flying jetpacks!). With this in mind, UAE has just announced that it will will become the first nation with a government minister dedicated to AI, that’s artificial intelligence!
H.E. Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama is set to be the first AI minister. He formerly worked for the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future. The program is reported to cover development and application in nine sectors: Transport, health, space, renewable energy, water, technology, education, environment, and traffic. “In the UAE, we understand the positives and the potential for AI,” says Al Olama. “We have visionary leadership that wants to implement these technologies to serve humanity better. Ultimately, we want to make sure that we leverage that while, at the same time, overcoming the challenges that might be created by AI.”
The UAE hopes this initiative will encourage the rest of the world to consider AI technology and take it more seriously on a nation level. “AI is not negative or positive,” says Al Olama. “The future is not going to be a black or white. As with every technology on Earth, it really depends on how we use it and how we implement it. And people need to be part of the discussion.”
