Dubai is moving past its peers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into government processes with the announcement of 22 Chief AI Officers (CAIOs).
The emirate’s administrators appointed the CAIOs to advance its position with AI in the UAE and the Middle East after releasing a blueprint for the emerging technology. The newly appointed CAIOs will be deployed to different government agencies in Dubai, cutting across several sectors, including health, security, and education.
While the criteria for the appointment were not made public, pundits opine that Dubai’s government looked for experts with capabilities at the intersection of government processes and AI. It appears that city administrators may have given a preference for locals with the requisite skills, with the UAE keen on developing AI models with minimal foreign influence.
Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, disclosed in a press statement that the new CAIOs would be vital in developing AI adoption strategies for their respective agencies. In the long run, the CAIOs are expected to improve their agencies’ decision-making and resource allocation using AI.
The agencies receiving CAIOs include Dubai Customs, the Judicial Council, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Health Authority, and the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, among others.
“We have approved the appointment of 22 Chief AI Officers across government entities in Dubai as part of a forward-looking vision aimed at leveraging AI to enhance government operations,” said Sheik Hamdan. “This initiative will enhance Dubai’s progress and expertise in this sector and consolidate its position as a leader in creating innovative solutions built on advanced technology.”
Hamdan noted that the end goal of the appointments is for Dubai to produce a pioneer model for “AI-enabled government operations” while steadily rising to become the worldwide leader in artificial intelligence.
Previously, city administrators unveiled a blueprint to adopt AI in the region, combining the concerted efforts of government and private sector initiatives. The plans also revolve around rolling out AI-themed curriculums for high school students and a valiant attempt to improve the licensing procedure for local and international AI developers.
Borrowing a leaf from virtual assets
Dubai administrators appear to be following the same path with digital assets in their AI regulation. By adopting a friendly stance and rolling out clear-cut regulations, the emirate is poised to lead the rest of the UAE, with Abu Dhabi positioning itself as the closest rival.
With digital assets, Dubai established a tailor-made regulator for the industry to carry out the functions of issuing and revoking licenses, accompanied by a forward-thinking regulatory playbook. The results with digital assets have been impressive for Dubai with several global firms setting up shops in the emirates, contributing to the GDP of the region.
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