DFF floats Dubai Generative AI Alliance of global tech companies

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai Future Foundation launched Dubai Generative AI Alliance of global tech companies to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and build one of the world’s most advanced and effective tech-enabled governments. This is in line with Dubai’s efforts to become a global hub for emerging technologies.

The alliance was announced by Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) at the Dubai Assembly for Generative AI, organised by DFF under the patronage of  Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, on 11-12 October at the Museum of the Future and AREA 2071 in Emirates Towers.

The alliance will comprise leading technology companies, who will draw on their international networks and expertise to tackle government challenges.

Belhoul called on companies and innovators to join the alliance, which will focus on developing innovative technology pilots by leveraging AI, the metaverse and Web3.

During his keynote session on Day 1 of the assembly, His Excellency spoke about the importance of government preparedness in the context of regulating generative AI.

“We need to be ready… We need to understand how we can regulate something as big as AI. We need to get started now,” he said.

 Belhoul called for “global unity to solve big matters”, adding: “This is one of the big matters and we need to work hand-in-hand. We need joint alliances to design and develop the most effective and resilient regulations.”

Belhoul described Dubai’s efforts to become a global leader in the adoption of generative AI, reflected by its decision to host this Assembly, which is one of the world’s largest gatherings of experts and decision-makers in the field.

He commented: “We need to bridge the gap between policies and the advancement of technology. It needs agile governments and quick decision making. This is what we’re blessed with here in the UAE.”

During his session,  Khalfan Belhoul said humanity hasn’t yet scratched the surface of the potential of AI, inviting the audience to imagine the full potential of technologies: “Imagine we infuse generative AI with robotics and quantum computing.”

“The fastest computers in the world [joined] with robots and with AI. What will happen when you have those three things together? You will have these three components plugged in and we probably have the biggest powerhouse in the world, which we will need to manage.”

Belhoul welcomed the Museum of the Future’s resident robo dog onto the stage to illustrate how AI could eventually create robots with emotions, capable of building a relationship with humans and completing intelligent talks.

Speaking on the potential of advanced technologies, HE Belhoul said: “AI will compete with the top 25% of people in various tasks before 2040, which is 40 years faster than previously anticipated. By 2050, humans as computerized brains could live forever. By 2050, robots will provide emotional support to humans. Generative AI will add USD 4.4 trillion to the global economy annually.”

He commented: “It’s something we talk about now as fiction. But we are close to that, and this can become reality.” The UAE’s “secret recipe”, he said, is its diversity, with expats comprising 90% of the population. “That’s what makes this country a collaborative and inclusive country,” he told the audience.

The Dubai Assembly for Generative AI hosts over 1,800 government and tech leads, AI and emerging technologies experts, decision-makers, and academia including more than 70 keynote speakers participating in around 45 main and private sessions and 12 exhibitions.

Meanwhile,  Matar Al Hemeiri, Chief Executive, Digital Dubai Government Establishment, Digital Dubai, today announced the launch of ‘Dubai AI’, a generative AI-powered digital city concierge, during the Dubai Assembly for Generative AI.

During a keynote titled ‘Digital Dubai: A City-Level AI Product’, HE Al Hemeiri revealed that the city-wide digital platform will offer comprehensive information and services, covering health, entertainment, business, and education, to all residents and visitors across the city.

In a panel titled ‘GenAI and Existential Questions for Government’, Her Excellency Dr. Moza Suwaidan, Chief Executive, Digital Applications and Platforms Sector, Digital Dubai Government Establishment, Digital Dubai, explained that “the way we offer services will drastically change, and we have started today with Dubai AI. Our role in the future will be more focused on enablement and regulations as opposed to operating different services and systems.”

 Dr. Suwaidan also addressed concerns regarding privacy and security in the realm of AI, emphasizing that these concerns have persisted since the early days of AI, sometimes deterring certain groups from enjoying its benefits.

She stressed the joint responsibility of technology producers, governments, and consumers to guard against AI shortcomings.