The world finds itself at an interesting juncture, as AI develops rapidly and transforms industries at a pace not witnessed before. This has been further catalysed following the introduction of generative AI, which is projected to make an economic impact of $23.5 billion in the Gulf by 2030, according to recently published research by PwC.
All six Gulf countries have been proactive in seeking investments and building strategic partnerships, demonstrating commitment to technological innovation as a whole. In fact, governments across the region have placed AI at the heart of their broader national visions. AI is a crucial component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. The UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and Oman’s National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies are other powerful examples.
Countries in the region been committed to incorporating AI in their smart city plans. The highly anticipated Neom city in Saudi Arabia, for example, is poised to be a futuristic city with AI-powered solutions in optimising transportation, utilities and various public services.
However, even though AI has been adopted in a number of areas and continues to expand in the region, there is room for further investment that will empower countries to be able to capitalise on opportunities set to emerge from the upcoming technological revolution.
Citizens’ trust is a key driver in implementing AI. Gulf countries report high levels of trust between citizens and governments, and paired with widespread digitalisation, this helps to set the stage for the region to adopt AI products in myriad spaces. However, there are risks associated with this new realm, presenting the need for an elaborate ecosystem and processes that ensure safe and optimal use of these technologies across all sectors.
The first step would be to further strengthen the institutions that are in place to regulate the use of AI in various domains. This is particularly challenging given the rapid speed at which AI is evolving. At the Gulf Co-operation Council’s Prosecutors Meeting in October, Bahrain’s attorney general, Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainain, proposed unified AI laws for the region. This could very well be the best way forward.
The EU’s AI Act, the world’s first legal framework that addresses risks that could stem from the AI revolution, follows a risk-based approach. This means that all AI systems that present clear threats to safety, livelihood and rights of humans are banned, whereas high-risk systems are subject to scrutiny before they are put in use. Limited-risk AI applications are allowed as long as there is transparency, while low or minimal-risk systems are free to be used.
This legal framework serves as a useful benchmark. However, it is important to consider the nuances of the socio-cultural and political environments in the region in order to ensure that AI is being used ethically and safely in the region.
The mitigation of risks associated with AI is an area that can be looked at. One way for Gulf countries to establish relevant laws and ethical guidelines would be to appoint regional and local committees of experts that can follow the industry and reduce possibilities of any harm. In this regard, it would help for the region’s governments to nurture relationships with global leaders in the field as well as regulatory boards in other parts of the world.
Gulf countries have come a long way in embracing AI in a short span of time. They now need to use the resources wisely to mitigate risks
Second, it is crucial for the Gulf to continue investing in infrastructure to meet the burgeoning demand for AI. The need for more data centres as well as specialised chips – which are now in short supply – is especially high.
Data centres have been described as “nerve centres of the digital economy”. It is, therefore, imperative for countries to continue investing in them and ensuring that they support national economic growth. Furthermore, it is important to keep an eye on sustainability in this realm of development, given that data centres are energy-intensive structures, such as seeking green solutions.
Khazna Data Centres, a telecommunications contractor in the UAE, is addressing this specific aspect by investing in a plant that will use solar energy for its data centre extension in Masdar City. There is immense scope for other companies to use such strategies; given the many interesting renewable projects under way across the region, and the potential to reap benefits such as optimum levels of solar energy, there is capacity to ensure that the growth of these data centres is environmentally sustainable.
Third, Gulf countries will fully embrace the AI revolution with ever closer engagement with youth and the broader workforce. In order to seamlessly and safely integrate AI in businesses, there will always be a need for specialised and ongoing training.
This involves already existing educational institutions working in conjunction with market leaders to ensure that graduates are prepared to enter the rapidly transforming job market. The establishment of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi in 2019 is an example of the kind of forward thinking that is required to prepare the next generation of AI talent, be it entrepreneurs or professionals.
Gulf countries have come a long way in embracing a phenomenon as transformative as AI in such a short span of time. The next would be for them to use the available resources wisely and proactively to mitigate any associated risks.
I don’t doubt that the region will fare well in this new era of the digital age, and I look forward to witnessing continued innovation and growth resulting from the combined efforts of our wise leaders, hardworking governments and dedicated citizens.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
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Transmission: 9-speed auto
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- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
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- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
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Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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