Following the directives of the Vice President of the UAE and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai the best, fastest, and most prepared emirate for the future, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has launched the annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence uses and applications.
Hamdan confirmed that the annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence uses and applications translates the vision and directives of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to enhance Dubai's leadership as a global center for technology and innovation, stressing the need to benefit from new AI technologies and their future impacts on all sectors.
Hamdan stated, "In 1999, the journey of future leadership began, initiated by Mohammed bin Rashid, through the launch of Dubai's electronic transformation, which has achieved significant milestones, culminating in the launch of the Dubai Digital Strategy last year. We have achieved record accomplishments, making us the home of global billion-dollar companies in the technology and AI sector in the region."
He added, "In recent years, the evolution of AI has accelerated, bringing many opportunities for countries and governments that effectively utilize it, and challenges for those who couldn't keep up. This requires rapid action plans that keep pace with the fast changes in the field of technology and artificial intelligence."
Hamdan emphasized, "To enhance Dubai's global leadership, we announce today the annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence uses and applications. This plan aims to achieve key objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by adding 100 billion dirhams from digital transformation to Dubai's economy and increasing productivity by 50% through innovation and the adoption of digital solutions."
He further confirmed, "Through the first package of this year's plan, we will appoint an AI Executive Director in every governmental entity in Dubai, launch a Dubai incubator for AI and Web3 companies, establish an AI Week in educational institutions, allocate supported lands for data centers, and issue a Dubai commercial license for artificial intelligence."
Hamdan added, "The goal of this plan is to enhance the quality of life for individuals in Dubai and their well-being." He stated, "We will annually review and update the plan and launch new projects to ensure they keep pace with all developments. Dubai is a city centered around its people, and we will harness all our resources and capabilities to make its people the happiest in the world."
The annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence uses and applications serves as a roadmap to enhance the quality of life in Dubai by integrating AI into all sectors and areas of importance for the emirate's future, making it the most supportive of the economy, the best at employing technology, and the fastest in adopting advanced applications.
The plan aims to provide the best environment for AI companies and global talents by enhancing competitiveness in the ease of business operations, supported by advanced technical infrastructure and a flexible legislative environment that encourages the development of AI technologies and advanced industries, thereby enabling these companies to grow and expand the benefits of AI solutions in accelerating development across various fields and contributing to building a better future for generations to come.
Additionally, the plan aims to position Dubai as the highest in the adoption of AI within government work by employing AI tools in future projects and initiatives while supporting these entities in practically and effectively adopting future technologies in preparation for the radical changes in various vital sectors. This ensures increased employee productivity, improved government performance, and the provision of the best government services relying on future technologies.
The annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence uses and applications also seeks to make Dubai a global laboratory for the governance and regulation of AI by providing all means to attract innovators, creators, and leading global tech companies and the latest sectors and applications, while continuing to work on developing regulations and laws governing AI uses across various sectors, focusing on AI governance to benefit from advanced technological tools for the development of vital sectors positively and constructively for the benefit of mankind and enhancing quality of life.
The plan also targets achieving the best applications of AI in strategic sectors by empowering work teams with essential AI skills and tools and introducing them to the latest practices and future opportunities to help them open new horizons for developing innovative applications and uses based on these skills, contributing to the adoption of the latest future technology tools for developing services, products, and solutions, and keeping pace with rapid transformations across various sectors.
The first package of the annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of AI uses and applications this year includes the appointment of an AI Executive Director in every governmental entity in Dubai to set specialized plans and programs in the fields of AI and advanced technology, enhancing the levels of government performance through the investment in the latest solutions and tools of AI technology. The Dubai Artificial Intelligence Center, part of the Dubai Future Foundation, will evaluate candidates before their appointment to this position.
The first package of the plan also includes launching a Dubai incubator for AI and Web3 companies to build the largest cluster of AI and technology companies and attract innovators from around the world, startups, and sector leaders to support and empower them to turn their innovative ideas into successful realities and help them expand their businesses globally starting from Dubai.
The first package of the plan will also see the launch of an AI Week in educational institutions to integrate AI applications within all components of the educational system, improving the quality of educational outcomes, equipping students with future skills that align with future labor market needs, and educating school and university students about AI science and programming while familiarizing them with the latest tools and methods in this field.
Additionally, the first package of the plan includes launching a Dubai commercial license for artificial intelligence aimed at enhancing investments in AI, attracting specialized companies and talents from around the world to operate in a world-class enabling environment that supports companies towards achieving more growth and development, establishing Dubai’s position as the preferred business destination for technology and innovation companies.
Moreover, the first package of the plan allocates supported lands for data centers to contribute to creating a conducive environment for attracting foreign investments, while continuing to develop world-class infrastructure that supports the provision of solutions enhancing the digital transformation journey in Dubai.
The annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of AI uses and applications supports achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to generate new economic value from digital transformation towards the new economy, with an average of 100 billion dirhams annually to be added to Dubai's economy. This aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to cement Dubai's position as a global capital for the digital economy and a key player in the global digital ecosystem.
The plan also supports achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aimed at establishing the emirate among the top three economic cities globally and increasing productivity by 50% through innovation and adopting digital solutions. Dubai places great importance on creating an innovative environment, building talents and capabilities, and transforming innovation into institutional work. The emirate prioritizes the adoption of digital solutions, striving to establish a smart and advanced economy characterized by leadership, sustainability, and growth based on knowledge, innovation, and future technological applications, enhancing Dubai's competitiveness and its leading position as the most prosperous global center for the digital economy.
The annual Dubai plan to accelerate the adoption of AI uses and applications solidifies Dubai's position as the preferred destination for technology, innovation, and AI companies, as the emirate is home to the headquarters of eight billion-dollar technology companies, benefiting from the economic and investment opportunities provided by Dubai in the Information and Communication Technology sector and major digital transformation projects, along with ease of doing business and creating the potential that contributes to the growth and expansion of these companies and achieving their goals. Dubai ranks first globally in foreign direct investment in AI, first in the Middle East in technology leadership, and seventh globally in city readiness for AI applications.
