UAE’s positive approach to AI

The Federal National Council (FNC) adopting a set of recommendations on Artificial Intelligence (AI) shows a balanced and open-minded approach to the software technology that has been perceived as a threat by many, while the private companies seem to pursue it with single-minded devotion, not paying attention to the safeguards needed to keep it within limits.

The recommendations have been sent to the Committee on Technology, Energy, Mineral Resources and Public Utilities to revise the rules in accordance with the discussions that took place in the council. The committee will return the revised draft concerning the law on AI to the council for its approval and then send to the government.

The key element of the recommendations is that the AI legislation while classifying data and encouraging the optimal usage of data should “strike a balance between the dissemination and exchange of information and maintaining its confidentiality and privacy” as WAM reported. This is enabling the use of AI in a positive sense.

Instead of placing restrictions, the intent is to take the full advantage of AI as the generator – at enormous speeds and volumes – of data, and how it should be shared with the users. Because the information that AI enables is so widespread that there arises the need to maintain the privacy and confidentiality. It is indeed a difficult task but that is the only way that the data generated by the AI can help people and governments.

The FNC recommendations highlight the positive aspects of AI. Many governments across the world, including the advanced economies, have been worried about the misuse of AI-generated data, and how it needs to be protected from the people who are likely to misuse it. The FNC, while being aware of the dangers of the misuse of AI, takes an optimistic view of the new technology. It sees that data generated by AI as an advantage and it wants to encourage both the data providers and the users to make maximum use of it. The legislation then is a means of protecting both the users and the producers.

The positive approach is rooted in the viewpoint adopted in the United Arab Emirates that it is knowledge that forges the future and there is no need to be afraid of knowledge. The AI technology is seen generating data, which is a form of knowledge, and it is felt that instead of restricting it, more avenues should be opened up for its use.

As Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama explained, the UAE had started off on the digital path as far back as in 2002, and enough preparation was done by 2017, when the country was prepared to tackle the challenges of the unfolding digital world.

An important aspect of preparing the ground is “attracting and training talent for future jobs that artificial intelligence will enable”, which included a specialised programme managed by National AI Programme in the UAE and the Oxford University in Britain.

The UAE government’s approach to AI could serve as an ideal model for many countries. The apprehensions of the people losing jobs because of AI have been one on the major issues troubling the minds of governments and people. The UAE programme of training people to handle jobs that AI will create is the right response to the new technology.

The UAE approach to AI shows that AI is a technology which should be made use of in the same way that we use other technologies. The UAE’s vision of AI is that people should be in control of AI and enjoys its fruits.