How the UAE finds an ally in AI

Today, it is imperative for both public and private organizations to invest, implement and revolve around corporate culture around the technologies of the future. And Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), is at the heart of this effort, which includes a synergistic approach to manufacturing based on modern IT, large-scale business process automation and widespread AI.

While 4IR has always been inevitable, the pandemic has accelerated the need for infrastructure and knowledge to handle the vast amounts of data provided by thousands of sensors and smart devices. This, as well as the need to regulate the use of AI and its inherent ethical issues, were recurring themes at the recent World AI Show in Dubai last month.

Laying the foundation

In 2017, the UAE announced 4IR strategies based on three pillars: turning the UAE into a technology hub for Industry 4.0, digitally transforming the economy and increasing the efficiency of government services, said Saeed Alhebsi, adviser to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emigration. AI speaking on the first day of the event.

4IR also focuses on a number of specific areas, including distance and personal learning, intelligent genomic medicine and robotic healthcare, which encourage ministries to adopt emerging technologies and apply them to provide intelligent and interactive services, he explained.

Alhebsi said his ministry has already completed the education process for all its 1,000 employees, who are now on track.

“We will now look at what advanced technologies we can use and where to apply them,” he said. “As the Ministry of Labor, we are looking to use a smart contract [programme]”

Fighting AI bias

AI is becoming an increasingly integral part of face and voice recognition systems, which have significant business implications that directly affect people. According to some estimates, the use of AI in recruitment will replace about 16% of jobs in the recruitment sector by 2029.

Artificial intelligence, regulation