VP honours 1st batch of AI Programme

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has asserted that the future industry requires a comprehensive development process for all sectors and areas of government work, starting with a strong base of national talent capable of dealing with the tools and skills of the future, to the development of a new generation of governments based on the outputs of the new industrial revolution.

The remarks by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid came during a special ceremony to honour the first batch of the Artificial Intelligence, AI, Programme, which was launched by the UAE National AI Programme in partnership with Kellogg College at Oxford University.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior;  and Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence,

Speaking to the first graduates of the AI Programme, Sheikh Mohammed underlined the need to establish a new phase of government work based on artificial intelligence to expand the potential of individuals and enhance their abilities to lead the development process across vital sectors. We want to develop solutions and turn challenges into opportunities. To be at the forefront of global investment efforts in advanced systems requires the preparation of qualified national cadres to lead this process,” he added.

The AI Programme, a joint effort between the UAE National AI Programme and Kellogg College, aims to train UAE nationals and enhance their skillsets to accelerate the delivery of the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. The first batch included 94 participants.

The training programme provided participants with insights on the latest tools and ethics of modern technology, practical uses of AI in various sectors and expected economic returns. The participants worked on a capstone project focused on the adoption of artificial intelligence in strategic sectors and explored the challenges of maintaining data integrity and information security.

The second batch of the Artificial Intelligence training programme will be launched in the coming period, along with the introduction of other specialised courses in the AI and Blockchain in line with UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the UAE Blockchain Strategy 2021.

The UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence – BRAIN – is a comprehensive and consolidated compilation of resources that highlight the advances in AI and Robotics, with special emphasis on the UAE’s policy objective to become a leading participant in the responsible use of AI and its tools, globally.

This program will define and underline the various initiatives, collaborations, partnerships and breakthroughs in the field of AI, and the impact of all these on humankind.

The UAE has been an early and leading player in the responsible use of AI technology and its balanced implementation to preserve an open global digital commons for our populations.

The UAE aims to become a fast adopter of emerging AI technologies across Government, as well as attract top AI talent to experiment with new technologies and work in a sophisticated, secure ecosystem to solve complex problems.

With this foundation of talent, as well as better governance of AI, we will have the right conditions to develop new AI solutions here in the UAE in the coming decade and beyond. These novel technologies have huge economic potential, including from licensing and export overseas

Hazza bin Zayed

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, this evening received Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, at the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, located at the historic Al Shindagha district near the end of Dubai Creek, and exchanged greetings on the Holy Month of Ramadan.

WAM