The UAE government's forward-thinking digital strategy has helped to save billion of dollars, boost efficiency and make the country a prime destination for top talent in advanced technology and artificial intelligence, an Emirati minister said.
Maryam Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet, told delegates at the World Economic Forum that the country had become one of the most advanced in the world when it came to digitalisation, thanks to being years ahead of schedule in harnessing online services.
Its proactive approach has set the country up for further innovation. The forum heard the adoption of AI was set to lead to more changes in how government services were delivered.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled Governments, Rewired, Ms Al Hammadi said the modernisation of governments and how they delivered services was “a necessity for government to be relevant, competitive and effective”.
“That’s why in the UAE we embarked on the modernisation journey very early, two decades ago, where we started with the digital transformation, mobile and smart services,” she said. “The result is that now, in the UAE, 99 per cent of our government service is digitally transformed. We have 90 per cent satisfaction among our citizens, we have 100 per cent of our citizens living in the UAE having a digitally unified number where they can access most of the government services and some of the private services.
“We have also a federal saving of around $4 billion. Our IT infrastructure is ranked first globally and we are also ranked first globally on internet speed. We are third globally in attracting AI talent. We are fourth globally in the number of foundational AI models released.”
But she said government modernisation was not simply about digital transformation and it also involved widespread legislative reform to develop regulations that attracted “talented people, entrepreneurs”.
“In four years, 80 per cent of the federal laws have been changed,” she said, referring to updated legislation on e-commerce that has resulted in the country becoming home to more than 24,000 companies in that sector.
World Economic Forum - in pictures
Revolution ahead
In total, the UAE has more than 1.2 million registered companies, with many others set to be registered, Ms Al Hammadi said. Former UK prime minister Tony Blair told the session that the adoption of AI would enhance the way government services were delivered and could save money.
“This instrument, if properly used, will transform everything,” he said. “We’re going to be able to use AI, particularly generative AI, to improve efficiency. That means you can spend less, tax less and deliver greater efficiency.”
He said governments were currently “in the foothills of this revolution”, but that making use of the technology would require close collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“The public sector will always be slower than the private sector to catch up, but we should try to accelerate that process,” he said.
In another example of how the UAE is harnessing the power of technology, Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, spoke of the way the authorities are using AI to help smallholders to improve their crop yields.
It could offer useful advice for improving yields in the UAE’s climate, she added.
During a panel discussion titled Breaking Down Food, Ms Almheiri said “one of the most exciting” innovations being introduced by the government was the use of the generative AI technology ChatGPT for food and agriculture. The move was first revealed at the Cop29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November.
“We eventually want to get this to the smallholder farmers so that they have their agricultural advisers in their pockets,” she said, referring to the way the technology could be delivered using smartphones.
A final version of the technology, known as Chag because it combines ChatGPT and agriculture, should be available in May, said Ms Almheiri, who served previously as minister for climate change and environment and minister of state for food and water security.
“Innovation is key to breaking the food system that we’re unfortunately in,” Ms Almheiri added.
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What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
PRIMERA LIGA FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Atletico Madrid v Sevilla (3pm)
Alaves v Real Madrid (6.15pm)
Malaga v Athletic Bilbao (8.30pm)
Girona v Barcelona (10.45pm)
Sunday
Espanyol v Deportivo la Coruna (2pm)
Getafe v Villarreal (6.15pm)
Eibar v Celta Vigo (8.30pm)
Las Palmas v Leganes (8.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Valencia (10.45pm)
Monday
Real Betis v Levante (11.pm)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
