The aim of the workshop was to introduce children to Minecraft mechanisms that enable them to build and explore virtual worlds, as well as teach them new technologies in the world of artificial intelligence.

The workshop had a particular focus on promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices. By utilising Minecraft, children were able to learn coding basics and AI concepts in a fun and engaging way, while also gain an understanding of the importance of environmental responsibility.

Saqr Binghalib, Executive Director at the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office said that the workshop is part of the programme's ongoing efforts to enhance children's capabilities in coding, while also supporting its objectives of building a technology-driven future.

The initiative also reflects the programme's commitment to instilling concepts of sustainability in younger generations, which aligns with the UAE government's Year of Sustainability goals. By combining coding and AI with concepts of sustainability, the workshop provides a valuable opportunity for children to develop new skills that will prepare them for the future while fostering a sense of environmental responsibility.

Binghalib said that the workshop provided by Microsoft experts, Ashley Bryant and Philip Wride, was specifically designed to equip children with foundational programming skills and principles of sustainability, aiming to raise awareness among children about the significance of artificial intelligence and the vast opportunities it presents for the future.

By providing children with these essential tools and knowledge, the workshop enables them to be better prepared for the rapidly evolving technological landscape while promoting a more sustainable and responsible approach to innovation.

The workshop spanned over two days and targeted students between the ages of 10-12 years. Its primary objective was to teach the participants how to leverage Minecraft as a platform for learning to code, as well as to introduce them to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence within the game.

The event also aimed to demonstrate how sustainable practices can be integrated by leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to address various challenges. By catering to the specific needs and interests of the target age group, the workshop provided an interactive and engaging learning experience that encouraged children to develop new skills while fostering a sense of environmental consciousness.

The workshop centred around the themes of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and eco-friendly practices across different areas of life that included an introduction to AI, understanding AI and big data for wildlife tracking, exploring AI in the real world, AI and machine learning, help ocean researches, AI to determine water quality and coding tutorial using Minecraft.

The workshop also highlighted the intersections between sustainability and technology. It provided participants with an introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, and how they can utilise these tools to create positive change in the world.

Additionally, the event included a series of challenges designed to enhance participants' competitiveness and encourage them to develop solutions using digital technology. By engaging with these challenges, participants were able to apply their newly acquired skills in a practical and dynamic manner, while fostering a spirit of innovation and problem-solving.

Overall, the workshop provided a holistic approach to learning, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications to equip children with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Binsal Abdulkader/ Esraa Esmail

The workshop aimed to share experiences and strategies on the development of cloud computing, how to increase speed while maintaining flexibility, control, and agility, and its importance in enhancing productivity, that the private sector’s CTOs have acquired.

Commenting on the workshop, Saqr Binghalib, Executive Director at the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office, affirmed the importance of dialogues and workshops convening experts to share experiences aiming to develop the digital sector and ensure the sustainability of promising digital fields growth such as the Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and Cloud Computing and their main role in enhancing digital utilisation, sharing success stories and being proactive in the future fields.

During the workshop, Mark Schwartz showcased the importance of cloud and digital delivery’s techniques aiming to generate faster results with more control. He further explained the difference between the concepts of speed and control between the past and the present, pointing out that the benefits of digital tools to enabling different elements and enhancing speed and control in all sectors in a way to guaranteeing the best control as well as managing challenges and ensuring the success.

He said, “In the past, organisations have assumed that speed and control were in opposition that going fast meant losing control. Today, with the tools of the digital age, the opposite is true. Government sectors and corporations can govern better, manage their challenges better, and make better use of their resources if they learn to move at speed."

Schwartz discussed the mechanisms of using the cloud and digital methods to obtain quick results with high control. He identified benefits of centralisation in improving efficiency, decreasing costs, increasing control as well as benefits of decentralisation in increasing speed and improving efficiency of response for customers, enhancing innovation, and managing challenges.

The session also discussed challenges of centralisation and decentralisation and the importance of exploring opportunities out of these challenges for development to make the best decisions and improve its efficiency.

The workshop came within the HQ meetups in CodersHQ aiming to gather like-minded people in different coding fields and supporting coders as one of the main pillars for achieving the UAE Digital Economy Strategy.

Amjad Saleh/ Khoder Nashar

This was revealed by Shaikha Hasan Al Mansory, head of Strategy and Investment Section, Digital Health Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention on the second day of the Remote forum in Dubai on Thursday.

The ministry will launch a comprehensive “Smart Digital Health” regulatory framework by the end of the year and all healthcare providers will have to mandatorily provide at least one of the four forms of remote health services, she told Gulf News on the sidelines of the forum.

“It will be mandatory for them to provide at least one of these services remotely—consulting, prescribing medications, monitoring patients or robotic surgeries.”

This will be applicable to both public and private sector healthcare service providers, she revealed.

She said medical facilities should report to the ministry the about the virtual or tele medicine services that they currently have.

“And if they do not have any, we will be holding our hands together with them so that by the end of this year, they would have at least one of them”

The comprehensive healthcare regulatory framework to regulate all remote health services will define roles and responsibilities of medical facilities and patients’ rights.

In the wake of rapid developments in technological advancements in health care sector, she said, it is imperative that medical facilities promote remote services.

“We are heading towards medical tourism now. How can we do it without having such basic services? We need these services to move towards digitisation in healthcare sector,” said Al Mansory.

She pointed out that the rules and regulations will also set boundaries for healthcare providers.

“There must be medical responsibility when it comes to diagnosis and prescription of medicines and tele medical services. We must have clear regulations for all these.”

Sajila Saseendran, Senior Reporter

H.E Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar highlighted that the UAE has introduced a virtual work visa allows foreigners to live in the UAE while continuing to work virtually for their employers existing outside the UAE pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. 27 for 2020 on the Remote Work System in the Federal Government. This resolution, which was issued by the UAE Government in April 2020, permits the adoption of full-time or part-time remote work, even in ordinary situations.

This came during his speech at a session entitled "Remote Work Applications within Administrative Innovation: Agile adaptation of the UAE workforce market to the shifting technological landscape", within the "Remote" forum organized by the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office. The forum aims to address three primary priority sectors; remote work, remote education, and remote healthcare, and to enhance their development through the utilization of digital solutions. The forum seeks to harness the potential of technology to foster a more diverse and flexible world, while simultaneously enhancing productivity and well-being.

His Excellency emphasized that the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which has been implemented on February 2, 2022, includes provisions that enable private sector entities to establish workforce relations under six different categories of work, including full-time, part-time, temporary, flexible, and remote work. Furthermore, His Excellency highlighted that remote training is also being embraced as a mechanism to improve competitiveness, necessitating increased flexibility and adaptability within various sectors.

The Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation further stated that the UAE has established a position of leadership in this domain, with remote training playing a crucial role in overcoming challenges.

Collaborative efforts with prominent partners have also contributed to the enhancement of training programs, which are geared towards fostering the development of future-oriented skillsets.

The session discussed the latest advancements within the UAE's workforce market and solutions to address the significant changes that are unfolding across the globe. It explored the factors that enable the implementation of remote work applications within the UAE, highlighted success stories, and emphasized the significance of utilizing digital solutions to enhance performance and achieve objectives in alignment with the UAE's strategic goals for comprehensive digital transformation.

During the session, the impact of remote work applications on various economic sectors was deliberated upon. The benefits of digital applications in different sectors were compared, and the most significant challenges in the field were identified to explore the future of remote work applications. The "Remote" forum was held on March 15 and 16 at The Museum of the Future in Dubai. It brought together ministers, high-level UAE government officials, decision-makers, private sector leaders, and pioneers to deliberate on digital-based solutions and the utilization of technology to create a more sustainable, diverse, and resilient world with a focus on flexibility, accessibility, and efficiency.

Abdulla bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General, Dubai Government Human Resources Department, announced the launch of the new initiative at the inaugural day of ‘Remote’, a new forum that aims to activate the nation’s agenda for remote work, remote education and remote healthcare.

Addressing the forum virtually, Al Falasi told the audience at the Museum of the Future that the new human resources initiative has been launched in collaboration with Dubai Culture that oversees libraries and Digital Dubai that ensures digital transformation of the city.

67,000 employees covered

“With this we will have new ways to work remotely. This will help reduce traffic. Employees can work remotely from libraries close to them,” said Al Falasi.

A video screened at the session indicated that the move will be implemented by 61 government entities in Dubai and it will be applicable to as many 67,000 employees.

Later, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work, told reporters that the new remote work facility from the libraries will come into effect from tomorrow, March 16. “More details will be released tomorrow [March 16],” he said.

Al Olama pointed out that the new initiative will allow government employees in Dubai to work from public libraries that are closer to their homes. “So, it will allow people to actually work closer to their homes in an enlightening and inspiring environment.”

Standards and policies

The minister also revealed that the UAE will issue standards and policies for remote work.

“We are going to constantly look at the whole new system, new pedagogy to actually manage this. There will be new policies. Towards the end of the year, there will be new standards as well.”

He said the standards of remote work will ensure health and well-being of employees.

“We don't want remote work to affect the well-being of individuals. Just think about this. Today, when we go to the office, there are certain standards of lighting, of desks, of keyboards, of chairs, that ensure that people do not get health issues. If you're working from your bed at home or working on the sofa, and slouching down, this will create a burden rather than an advantage for the government to spend more on health insurance. So we need to make sure that the standards are put in place,” he explaine How about the private sector?

On implementing the remote work standards in private sector, Al Olama said: “We need to make sure that the standards that we put in place eliminate such issues. We [at government] lead by example, but we will not force the private sector to do anything that will impact their profits.”

However, he pointed that private companies are also taking their own measures to continue hybrid work model even after all the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted to ensure work flexibility for their employees.

“Mubadala, for example, has allowed eight hours of remote work in a month,” the minister said.

Earlier, speaking at the opening session of the forum, Al Olama highlighted the role of remote work in building a flexible future for the country’s workforce, saying "the role is to achieve flexibility at work in an era when remote work is a main way of work, not an exception".

“We must move from using the methods of remote work as just a trend to using those to our advantage as a technique to improve the quality of life of residents and nationals,” he pointed out.

Top executives of country’s leading employers such as Mubadala, Emirates Islamic Bank, du and e& shared their experiences in implementing hybrid work model and shared several benefits for employers and employees at a session titled 'Breaking the Rules: Embracing Remote Work for Higher Returns'.

Speaking to Gulf News later, Dena Al Mansoori, Chief Human Resource Officer, e&, said: “Something magical happens when you empower and entrust your people to work wherever they are their most productive selves. In the case of e&, the benefits have been clear, as there is a direct link between employee engagement and company performance. Since implementing our hybrid working model, our employees are increasingly more engaged, happier, and more productive, which has, in turn, resulted in a record performance for e& Group year over year since 2020.”

Remote work in legal system

In another session, Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, highlighted how digital transformation revolutionised the legal services towards flexibility and agility. He revealed that the ministry would use Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse to further reduce the number of days taken for the completion of litigation.

“Some of those services are expected to come on stream, hopefully by the end of the 2024,” he told Gulf News later.

With 158 digital litigation services, currently, the average period taken for the completion of litigation is 64 days in the UAE whereas it is 120 days internationally, he pointed out.

The Remote forum is hosting ministers, high-level UAE government officials and decision-makers with private sector over two days.

On day one, it was held under the theme 'Remote Work: Productivity, agility and remote performance measurement'.

On day two on Thursday, the focus will be on remote education and remote health with talking points on accessibility, opportunity and remote education quality assurance as well as innovation, readiness, convenience and efficiency in healthcare.

-with inputs from Khitam Al Amir, Chief News Editor

The country's technological advantages have provided robust infrastructure to enable and support workers in the digital era, Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, AI and Remote Working System, said at the Remote Forum event in Dubai on Wednesday.

In particular, the UAE aims to harness the capabilities of artificial intelligence and automation, which would enhance the Emirates' capacity-building process in the economy and workforce, he said.

"We must build opportunities out of challenges [and] use technologies to address these ... using the strength of technology to create a more sustainable, more varied world," said Mr Al Olama.

"Remote work is now a main way of work and not an option ... and we in the UAE must move from using the methods of remote work as a trend to using them as a quality and competitive advantage that improves the quality of life of residents and visitors to the UAE."

Almost half, or about 46 per cent, of workers in the UAE work remotely, Mr Al Olama said, citing figures from UK research company YouGov.

Remote work rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic and was part of the frantic change companies had to adapt to in order to keep their operations afloat and, in the case of essential sectors, provide services to consumers.

Technology played a key role in advancing the use of remote work, with companies — especially cloud service providers, telecom operators and other tech-focused organisations — boosting their offerings to support the ever-growing demand for digital services.

The UAE has introduced several initiatives to support the sector. The country unveiled a one-year digital nomad visa in March 2021 that allows people to live in the Emirates while continuing to work for employers in their home countries.

The rise of remote work is an opportunity for countries to develop policies and programmes to attract these workers, who can further support local economic growth and innovation, Airbnb said in a September report.

"Remote work goes hand in hand with many other sectors but it also prospers in the digital sector," Mr Al Olama said.

"In the UAE, we can find the digital infrastructure to enhance a new culture that provides all the options to those who want to use them."

The focus on the digital economy has been seen in several programmes the nation has unveiled to boost the economy.

These include the updated Entrepreneurial Nation programme that seeks to develop more than 8,000 small and medium enterprises and start-ups by 2030, and Future 100, aimed at supporting and honouring the top 100 start-ups that will have a significant impact on the economy of the Emirates.

"We've seen a lot of positive impact in the overall employee experience and the overall financial results by introducing multiple aspects of a flexible work environment," Homaid Al Shimmari, deputy group chief executive and chief corporate human capital officer at Mubadala, said at the event.

The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund has had flexible working options in place since 2019, a year before the pandemic, which meant they were prepared when the health crisis took hold.

"The infrastructure and connectivity in the UAE really played a big role in the way we did business," Mr Al Shimmari said.

Remote working has also played a role in helping organisations manage and reduce their costs, as proven by research, data and analytics, said Dena Almansoori, group chief human resource officer of e&, the UAE's biggest telecoms operator.

"Though there's no one-size-fits-all [solution], productivity and engagement increased, and at the same time we were also really able to conserve our costs," she said.

Alvin R Cabral

The meeting discussed the importance of keeping up with the rapid-pace in developments that the technology and AI sectors are witnessing worldwide. The meeting also addressed various facets of fostering the bilateral partnership between the UAE government and Microsoft.

During the meeting, Al Olama emphasised the UAE government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and partnerships with various leading global technology companies, in recognition of the significant value of sharing successful experiences and implementing the best digital practices developed by technology pioneers globally, as well as integrating these ideas into the UAE's efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and drive comprehensive digital transformation initiatives.

Al Olama further said that the technological revolution necessitates a heightened focus on talent development and investment, along with ensuring talent development and empowering future generations, through equipping them with the necessary skills, which are a crucial component for driving innovation and shaping the future.

The meeting deliberated on several strategies aimed at integrating digital solutions into the work systems of government entities and different companies. The discussions revolved around the need to develop highly advanced applications of artificial intelligence that are continuously trained in programming languages.

In addition to a review of the digital transformation projects that the company is currently undertaking, aligned with the UAE's comprehensive digital transformation agenda, the discussions also underscored the significance of accelerating progress in the domains of AI and the digital economy, while highlighting the essential future skills required to keep pace with global and technological advancements.

Amjad Saleh/ Tariq Al Fahaam

Al Olama stressed that the UAE represents a platform that embraces international companies and attracts technological pioneers and innovators in digital fields around the globe. “The country's progress in attracting companies reflects the visions of the UAE's leaders and their directives to create the best environment for companies,” he added.

He commended UiPath on their important achievement pointing out the importance of intelligent automation technology in digital transformation, and its ability to accelerate the adoption of the digital economy and contribute to the country's GDP while unleashing Emirati youth’s abilities and talents for more innovation and future acceleration.

The ceremony was attended by Saqr Binghalib, Executive Director at the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office; as well as UiPath executives, including: Daniel Dines, Founder and Co-CEO; Robert Enslin, Co-CEO; Brigette McInnis-Day, Chief People Officer; Mark Gibbs, EMEA President; and Ashraf El Zarka, Vice president and managing director Middle East and Africa.

During the ceremony, UiPath held a meeting aimed to discuss the company’s plans and strategies to support digital transformation projects across the UAE and robotics automation visions to develop the digital infrastructure and support achieving the goals of the UAE's national strategies in the areas of artificial intelligence and digital economy, while the company's team organised a tour to showcase the company's digital developments.

UiPath is a global software company that makes robotic process automation software that was founded in Bucharest, Romania, by Daniel Dines.

Hazem Hussein/ Khoder Nashar

This came during, Omar Sultan Al Olama’s keynote speech in the “Bytes of Promise: How Can Technology Lift Communities” session as part of the UAE Government’s participation at the Raisina Dialogue 2023, the leading global conference on international affairs in its 8th edition held in partnership between the Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research Foundation and witnessed the participation of representatives from over 100 countries, including Ministers, Military Commanders, Captains of the Industry, Technology Leaders, and Strategic Affairs’ experts.

Al Olama added that the UAE is keen on sharing knowledge, experience, and success stories through designing future approaches and participating in international conferences to enhance the new digital era and implement the technology to serve communities, as well as to enhance the technical infrastructure in various fields inbuilding a comprehensive digital future.

Al Olama pointed out the importance of designing technological policies that embrace global development, growth, and accelerate changes, stressing the need to develop digital and technological opportunities for start-ups that support building upon a more effective global economy that invests in the skills of talented entrepreneurs and enhances agility to adapt to various changes in global economies.

The session witnessed participation of Ali Sabry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka; Baijayant Panda, National Vice-President, Bharatiya Janata Party, India; Dr. Ayoade Alakija, Co-Chair, African Union's African Vaccine Delivery Alliance; Special Envoy and Co-Chair for ACT-Accelerator, World Health Organisation; and Gautam Aggarwal, Division President - South Asia, Mastercard.

The session discussed challenges in finance and infrastructure in domestic and international policies, challenges against the spread of digital technology to communities and companies, and digitalization's role in enhancing resilience and access for communities and supply chains to achieve sustainable economic growth.

It also touched upon the importance of upgrading skills alongside economies’ adjustment to the technological revolution and setting policies that keep pace with the next era of technological development in various digital sectors, such as artificial intelligence, the Metaverse, and others, and the best platforms that can speed up this process.

Tariq Al Fahaam

This came, during the participation of the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office's, as a representative of the UAE Government in the first meeting of the Digital Economy Working Group within G20, which includes most of the largest economies in the world, part of the UAE's participation as a guest country in work-groups held in Lucknow City Presidency of the Republic of India.

The meeting discussed the importance of sharing experiences of the G20 countries in enhancing digital transformation and utilising various digital technologies in all priority areas, the practices to achieve the best digital infrastructure.

Saqr Binghalib said that the UAE government employs modern technologies to explore opportunities and find innovative solutions to critical challenges.

He reiterated that the UAE reached first place regionally and 13th globally in the e-government development index in 2022, a leap forward reflecting its endeavours to strengthen its digital infrastructure and continue the development process in achieving the best results.

He referred to the country's experiences in launching the Emirates Digital Wallet (EDW), eSignature and digital certification, and UAE pass, which reinforced digital transformation efforts, adopted digitisation-based solutions and provided the community with secure access to various government and private applications and websites; benefiting more than 6,000 services provided by more than 130 federal, local government entities, semi-government entities as well as private corporates.

Binghalib stated, “Having more than 400 government employees, decision-makers, and experts versed in artificial intelligence technologies through the participation of more than 22,000 people in the UAE AI Camp and CodersHQ, one of the initiatives of the National Programme for Coders, reflects the leadership's vision of the importance of empowering Digital skills to consolidate the UAE’s global position in as a pioneer in exploring and employing AI.”

He explained that the UAE seeks to enhance the capabilities of cadres in the field of digitisation, building upon their skills and talents and creating a digital environment to design smart solutions and support the digital economy, pointing to the role of the digital school, one of Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives in spreading knowledge and education in various countries since its launch in 2020.

Binghalib added, “The digital school initiative reached seven countries and provided education to over 40,000 students, leveraging the experiences of more than 1,000 teachers digitally. Other initiatives have had a tremendous impact globally, such as the One Million Arab Coders and the launch of the National Qualifications Authority that aims to develop talent qualifications promoting it to international standards, aiming to support the changing workforce market requirements and build a promising generation able to lead the best future of the digital economy.”

The Artificial Intelligence Office showcased the objectives’ achieved under the umbrella of the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021, launched in 2018, and the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, the first of its kind in the region, aiming to enhance the UAE's leadership in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital skills through launching various national programmes, namely; the Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, AI labs at the United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi.

The AI Office also touched upon the upcoming launch of the Indian Institutes of Technology, one of the most prestigious universities in the Republic of India, the first headquarters outside India in the UAE, enhancing the focus in NLP research and various digital technologies and nurturing talent to build the best digital future for the next generation.

The Artificial Intelligence Office also showcased the most important objectives of the UAE Digital Economy strategy launched in 2022, with the aim of doubling the contribution of the digital economy to GDP up to 20 percent over the next ten years.

Hazem Hussein/ Khoder Nashar

TRIP aims to streamline the ongoing research efforts by focusing on infrastructure, urban planning and sustainability. It aspires to become a hub for hosting creative ideas and youth projects, supporting start-ups in marketing their innovations, spreading innovation culture, organising events that foster a work environment motivating creativity, familiarising with innovation programmes and accelerators, and publishing specialised scientific research in this field.

Al Olama emphasised that the UAE is keen to support innovation and innovators, and its strategic visions and future plans consolidate the qualitive and unique efforts of the research industry, which in turn enhances the UAE’s standing as a global host for innovations and start-ups. "Such efforts aim to uplift these practices to the highest international levels and foster the UAE’s pioneering research innovations.”

“Advanced science and artificial intelligence technologies are critical for intensifying national efforts and forging scientific and research partnerships at the federal and local levels in support of the ‘UAE Innovates 2023’ initiatives. Such efforts contribute to grooming current generations to adopt robotic technologies as an integral part of creating new ideas and future technologies,” Al Olama added.

For his part, Mattar Al Tayer stressed the importance of the centre and its contribution to creating innovative transport communities. He commended the centre’s role in developing smart mobility solutions that contribute to RTA’s vision.

"The world leader in seamless and sustainable mobility’ and mission: ‘Provide seamless and safe travel with innovative, sustainable mobility solutions and services to make every journey in Dubai a world-class experience’, besides promoting the standing of Dubai as a global incubator for innovations and start-ups and developing innovative solutions to current and future transport challenges. The centre targets startups, governmental and non-governmental entities, academia, technology companies, innovation incubators and RTA’s key vendors,” Al Tayer added, praising the partnership with the University of Birmingham.

Huda Al Hashmi said that the UAE leadership believes in the importance of adopting sustainability as a pillar of innovations and specialised research. She stressed the UAE government’s keenness to promote a culture of innovation by launching targeted initiatives in cooperation with local government agencies.

“The opening of RTA’s Mobility Research and Innovation Centre contributes to strengthening the UAE's position as a global hub for sustainable innovation. It reflects the message of ‘UAE Innovates 2023’, which focuses on sustainability, and seeks to translate the directives of leaders to build the capabilities of qualified human resources, support start-ups operating in the field of mobility, and launch initiatives focused on spreading the culture of innovation across the board,” she added.

Khoder Nashar

Announced during the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai, the partnership with Vista facilitates the exchange of information, experiences and best practices to develop local technology hubs and centres of excellence integrate digital learning into schools and university curriculums.

In addition, Vista and the AI Office will collaborate to drive digital transformation for local enterprises and governments through dialogue and discussions around the adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain in the public and private sectors.

Commenting on the partnership, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for the AI Office and Managing Director of the WGS, said “Collaborating with the private sectors plays a key role in further consolidating the UAE as a leader in the global digital economy and supporting our efforts to build upon local digital talent and develop the critical skills within the UAE workforce.

“We look forward to leveraging enterprises ecosystem to accelerate broader initiatives for driving economic growth through the power of technology.”

For his part, Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista, said, “Digital transformation in the public and private sector is playing an outsized role in accelerating economic growth for nations around the world. The most important ingredient for digitisation – digital talent – is also the hardest to come by. “We are honoured to partner with the UAE to further develop and attract the advanced digital skills that are required to drive transformational change and prosperity for the local and global economy.”

This collaboration supports the UAE’s Initiatives of the ‘Next 50’ and ‘Projects of the 50’ programmes to accelerate the region’s development as a comprehensive hub in all sectors and establish its status as an ideal destination for talents and investors, with a focus on development of the UAE innovation ecosystem.

The official signing for entering into this partnership was attended by Fareed Adib, Managing Director, Vista; and Mauro Bonugli, Managing Director of Vista’s OneVista programme.

Tariq Al Fahaam

WGS is taking place from 13th -15th February in Dubai with the participation of leaders, more than 10,000 ministers, government officials, heads of private sector companies, experts and specialists in future fields.

Sheikh Saif welcomed the President of Mauritius, embracing the bilateral relationships between the UAE and Mauritius and appreciating his presence at the World Government Summit.

Sheikh Saif and President Roupon witnessed the signing between the UAE government and the Republic of Mauritius as part of the Government Knowledge Exchange Programme to cooperate in the technology field.

The signing ceremony was attended by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Managing Director of the World Government Summit Organisation; Deepak Balgobin, Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation of Mauritius; and Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chairman of the Competitiveness Council.

The partnership aims to enhance cooperation and knowledge exchange in emerging technologies, in line with the rapid global changes to achieve proactivity in technological areas.

Al Olama stated that the UAE is moving toward the future under the leadership and visions of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

“The UAE is a pioneer in adopting technology to empower the new generation of future governments by building partnerships and benefiting from promising sectors to achieve economic and social development,” he added.

Al Olama continued, “Global digital partnerships are an essential part of the development in technological fields and the journey of digital transformation, which will be achieved through supporting partnerships, e-commerce projects, research and development, digitisation of government services and innovation.”

The cooperation will boost the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Emerging Technologies field, including promoting, adopting, and harnessing ICT. It will also focus on the formulation of policies, legal and regulatory frameworks of common interest, sharing of expertise and know-how in the field of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, metaverse, cloud computing, cooperation for capacity building and transfer of knowledge and expertise in fields of common areas.

Rola AlGhoul/ Esraa Esmail

The Emirates Foundation for School Education, in cooperation with the Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, organized the fifth session of the “Future Innovators Hackathon”, with the participation of 60 students from public schools and a number of government agencies in the country, such as the Watani Al Emarat Foundation and the Emirates Authority. Dubai Digital, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Customs, and the Dubai Civil Defense.

The "Hackathon", which was organized over two days at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, is part of the Foundation's efforts to develop students' talents in the areas of creative thinking, leadership and innovation, and to provide them with the necessary skills by enabling them to actively participate in finding innovative solutions to a number of hypothetical practical challenges facing different businesses. Governmental and private sectors.

Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the Foundation's Board of Directors, confirmed that the "Future Innovators Hackathon" is an important national platform to enhance the UAE's position globally in the field of innovation, artificial intelligence, and other future fields.

She explained that the national educational system, thanks to the efforts of the leadership, has become in line with the future, which is reflected in all the initiatives and projects offered in the educational field that aim to raise the level of students and establish a culture of innovation among them in the various stages of their scientific development.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, affirmed that the UAE government is keen on continuous development and launching initiatives aimed at supporting talent and providing the best environment for designing distinguished ideas and developing innovative solutions, in a way that contributes to enhancing community participation in light of the accelerating global trend towards Investing in the digital world, which confirms the importance of qualifying students to know the challenges and create new solutions, adopting the latest digital means in finding innovative solutions to create a better future.

Al Olama said that the UAE government has launched many initiatives and programs aimed at supporting efforts to accelerate the transition to the future, in a way that enhances the objectives of the UAE strategy for artificial intelligence, the first of its kind in the region, which aims to ensure the leadership of the UAE in the fields of artificial intelligence by refining digital skills and building generations. with different future skills.

He added that the "hackathon", which is organized in partnership with government agencies, focuses on enhancing students' participation in creating new solutions, benefiting from their skills in designing new scientific innovations that support government programs, and by qualifying them to lead the country's technological march, and achieve the goals of national strategies in creating a better future.

The students will work in cooperation with a number of engineers and technicians specialized in proposing and finding innovative solutions based on scientific foundations for the most prominent challenges and difficulties facing the parties participating in the event through brainstorming sessions. And registering them as patents and implementing them on the ground, with the support of the entities participating in the hackathon.

Amjad Saleh

In his statement on the occasion of honouring the first batch of MBZUAI's graduates, Omar Al Olama, highlighted UAE's focus on attracting and training AI talents and said graduates from MBZUAI will support the country's AI 2030 strategy. He emphasised that individuals specialising in AI will play a crucial role in the next leap forward for humanity.

Another top official also emphasised the MBZUAI's contributions to the UAE's AI Strategy, while congratulating the first batch of the University's graduates. “The impact of artificial intelligence will be felt across the public and private sectors, enabling new efficiencies and unlocking novel solutions to long-standing challenges. The graduates of MBZUAI are competent and capable of leading the UAE’s efforts to advance the 4IR and achieve its AI Strategy 2030," said Jassem Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Finance, and member of the MBZUAI's Advisory Board.

"I look forward to witnessing their continued success as they advance within their respective fields," Al Zaabi added.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees of the MBZUAI said the University has succeeded in attracting the world’s brightest minds in AI and they would make a positive impact on the AI sector.

Professor Anil K. Jain said, “With a focus on education and research alongside a commitment to addressing real-world challenges through AI innovation, it’s rewarding to see the many ways in which MBZUAI’s first milestone commencement is fulfilling the university’s remit to meet the needs of the nation.”

He added that in a relatively short timeframe, the University has established a globally ranked programme that attracts some of the brightest minds in the field of AI as faculty and students.

“The commencement event enables us to reflect on what’s been achieved and the significant opportunities ahead to address important societal problems related to energy, environment, health and poverty,” Professor Jain said.

Daniela Rus said the prevalence of women among the first graduating class of MBZUAI speaks to the critical nature of gender diversity in this field, contributing to a less biased, more balanced, and mature sector as a whole.

“From research to the application of AI in industry, women – including these first graduates of MBZUAI – have a vital role to play in the UAE and beyond,” Rus noted.

Sir Michael Brady said MBZUAI's initial cohort of graduates have tremendous potential to make a measurable impact – not least in how AI can benefit the region’s growing healthcare sector.

Already, this class has presented academic papers at the internationally leading Medical Imaging Conference (MICCAI), where competition for acceptance is extraordinarily high, he pointed out.

“This underscores the global caliber of the research underway at MBZUAI. From the delivery of more accurate medical diagnoses to assessing the health of major organs, these students are set to contribute materially to the future of healthcare through AI,” Professor Brady explained.

Dr. Kai Fu Lee, Chairman & CEO of Sinovation Ventures, said there has never been a more ideal moment for MBZUAI’s first graduating class to channel their newfound skills and insights into addressing some of the most pressing opportunities for AI.

“From life sciences to food security to cleaner energy, critical issues both locally and globally are waiting for them to tap into. With an emphasis on diversity and cross-cultural collaboration, this group of new graduates has the potential to help define the role and innovation of AI in many domains in the coming decade,” Dr. Lee said.

Muhammad Aamir / Khoder Nashar

This was discussed during this year's first meeting of the UAE Digital Economy Council, which was chaired by Al Olama, and included members of the council such as Younis Haji Al Khoori, Under-Secretary of Ministry of Finance; Abdullah Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Trade and Industry at the Ministry of Economy; Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA); Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Vice chairman of Financial Infrastructure and Digitisation Department in Central Bank of the UAE; Sameh Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Director-General of Economic Affairs at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; and Hanan Ahli, Deputy Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.

Al Olama said that the UAE understands the significance of attracting talent and building a conducive technological environment to promote an advanced economy.

He emphasised that this entails empowering national talents to excel in technological areas and augmenting the digital economy's contribution to non-oil GDP, adding that “These objectives are in line with the UAE's digital economy strategy."

During the meeting, the council approved the formation of seven sub-committees led by members of the council, to cover all goals of the UAE digital economy strategy in areas such as technological infrastructure and blockchain, e-commerce, financial technologies, investment in the digital economy sector, attracting skills and supporting startups.

Additionally, a committee was formed to specialise in digital economy statistics and prepare an annual report to measure the performance and indicators of the digital economy in the UAE and ensure sustainable progress in the digital economy.

The Ministry of Economy presented the digital trade law, the new national economic record system, and the commercial law, while the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre team presented the methodology used to measure the digital economy performance in the UAE and its contribution to the GDP, which is a main objective of the UAE digital economy strategy.

The council also discussed strategic performance indicators for the digital economy and ways to enhance the UAE's global position in developing the future digital economy model.

Muhammad Aamir / Khoder Nashar

UAE delegation public sessions

Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, participated in a public session entitled “In Case of Fire Use Stairs”, where she highlighted the importance of finding innovative and effective solutions that meet the requirements and needs of people of determination during natural crises and disasters. She reviewed the remarkable efforts and achievements of the UAE in bringing a comprehensive community development in terms of empowering people of determination, through its strategic plan and national policies that aims at protecting and supporting them in all aspects.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, participated in the “Between Liquidity and Fragility: Reforming in MENA” session, accompanied by Henadi Al Saleh, Chair of the Board of Directors, Agility Kuwait; Hala El Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Egypt; Majid Jafar, Chief Executive Officer Crescent Petroleum, UAE; and Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia.

He said that the UAE is continuing its sustainable development path within flexible and competitive economic approaches and policies, as part of its efforts to consolidate its leading position among the countries of the world.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, affirmed the continuing plan of the UAE in developing its national space sector as part of its commitment to moving towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy. She highlighted the importance of innovation and creating a supportive environment for companies to contribute to the growth of space sector, in addition to empowering young talents in various scientific fields.

This came as part of Al Amiri’s speech during a public session entitled “Closer to the Final Frontier”, held as part of the WEF activities. The session witnessed the participation of Josef Aschbacher, Director-General European Space Agency, Paris; Rajeev Suri, Chief Executive Officer, Inmarsat Global, United Kingdom; Dava Newman, Director, Massachusetts, Institute of Technology (MIT), Media Laboratory, USA; and Dylan E. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive, Officer Voyager Space, Young Global Leader, USA.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, stressed the importance of trade as a main axis to stimulate the growth of the global economy, and the need to work on modernising supply chains to meet the current challenges. This came during His Excellency's participation in the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future; Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri; and Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, participated in a session entitled "Future by Design". During the session ministers reviewed the UAE’s pioneering experience in simulating and anticipating the future, preparing for its promising opportunities and challenges, in order to enhance sustainable development in various sectors, ensuring a better future for the generations.

Al Olama also participated in a public session, within the World Economic Forum, under the tittle “Finding the Right Balance for Crypto”. He discussed with Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, European Commission; Brussels Klaas Knot, President, Central Bank of the Netherlands; and Brad Garlinghouse, Chief Executive Officer, Ripple, USA, the boom and bust in the crypto markets, compounded by the dramatic volatility in 2022, and the role and benefits of digital currencies in future economies. During a public session entitled “Unlocking Digital ID”, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, discussed the role of accelerated digital transformations in presenting a variety of promising opportunities that can be employed to achieve global aspirations at the various economic, governmental and social levels. Belhoul stressed the necessity of enhancing joint cooperation and unifying efforts and future visions. The session was held in the participation of Eileen Donahoe, Executive Director of the Global, Digital Policy Incubator; Brett McDowell, Chairman of Hedera Hashgraph; and Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner of Australia.

Also, the World Economic Forum (Davos 2023) announced the selection of Khalfan Belhoul, as a member of the Steering Committee for Metaverse Governance, which includes elite international experts. The committee oversees the achievement of the goals of the "Global Collaborative Village" initiative launched by the Forum with the aim of strengthening global efforts to employ the capabilities of metaverse opportunities, and enabling effective partnerships between the public and private sectors to achieve the aspirations of societies.

Pavilion’s youth circles As part of its activities, the UAE Pavilion witnessed a youth circle about “The Role of Youth in Accelerating Net-Zero Pledges”. Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; and Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Executive Office of COP28, and Simon Stiell of Grenada, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), participated in the session. They discussed a number of topics, including activating the role of youth, and providing appropriate mechanisms to enhance their role in climate action efforts.

Also, the UAE Pavilion hosted a fireside chat discussing the "Soft Power in Digital World", during which David Haigh, Chairman and CEO Brand Finance; and Nusair Yassin, Founder and CEO of Nas Academy and Nas Daily highlighted the growing importance of the digital world and how it is reflected on development achievements in various fields and sectors.

Amjad Saleh