As usual, the UAE is a pioneer in everything new and beneficial, taking early steps in its future directions, including artificial intelligence. The UAE has established a special strategy for it, named the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which aims to achieve the UAE Centennial Goals 2071 and accelerate the implementation of developmental programs and projects to reach the future. The UAE has not wasted time; it has been aware and strategic, setting goals indicating reliance on artificial intelligence in services and data analysis at a rate of 100% by 2031, to enhance government performance, expedite outcomes, and create innovative work environments, aiming to make the UAE government the first in the world in investing in artificial intelligence across its various vital sectors and working to create a promising new market in the region with high economic value.
Recently, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications in the UAE government, pointed out that the country is at the forefront of nations concerned with technology and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, Microsoft announced an investment of $1.5 billion in G42, an artificial intelligence group based in Abu Dhabi, which confirms that the UAE has not only met its previous ambitions but has also become a global player in this field.
The UAE views its efforts in the field of artificial intelligence as extremely important, particularly with the major goal of diversifying its economy away from oil, where artificial intelligence is expected to contribute approximately $96 billion to the UAE's economy by 2030, equivalent to about 14% of the GDP, positioning the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2031.
All these steps and perspectives toward the future reflect confidence in the directions of the UAE's leaders and government toward success, enabling them in various emerging fields, including artificial intelligence. The UAE trains government officials in artificial intelligence, while Dubai aims to educate one million citizens in fast and efficient engineering and to guide artificial intelligence models to produce high-quality outputs. Up to last September, the UAE had 120,000 individuals working in artificial intelligence or related industries, compared to 30,000 two years ago.
The UAE is diligently working to enhance its readiness for the future and exploring the best ways to leverage artificial intelligence technologies, focusing on serving its community and environment, transforming, as usual, into a global center of expertise that is beneficial, useful, and an investor, equipped with tools and extending its influence, signaling the progress made and the insightful vision of its leadership.
