Omar Sultan AlOlama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, underscored the imperative of escalating efforts and bolstering the integration of initiatives and projects at the national level to fortify the UAE’s global leadership in AI. He emphasised the necessity of a proactive approach to enhance advanced digital infrastructure.
AlOlama made these remarks during the virtual meeting of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, attended by council members.
The meeting discussed the progress of the second phase, which aimed at activating and adopting initiatives from the subcommittees. These initiatives aim to realise the UAE’s strategic objectives in AI and enhance the country’s leading role in service development and improving well-being through advanced technology solutions and innovative AI solutions.
AlOlama highlighted that the government’s commitment to accelerating the development and adoption of AI technology solutions aligns with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. Through pioneering initiatives, the UAE endeavours to shape future AI paths, innovate solutions to enhance the country’s competitiveness, and lead in various domains.
Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, stressed the commitment to advancing the UAE’s position as a leading financial hub. He emphasised the ministry’s dedication to digital transformation by developing advanced solutions that contribute to the growth of various sectors, particularly the digital economy and advanced financial technologies.
He added that the Ministry of Finance spares no effort in developing AI systems, projects, and initiatives, including the generative AI platform and the Metaverse platform for digital procurement. These efforts align with the UAE government’s vision of designing government services focusing on innovative and effective methods to make them the world’s best.
Al Khoori also elaborated on strategic projects in digital transformation that foster cooperation between the public and private sectors. The federal government’s digital procurement policy simplifies procurement procedures for federal entities through a Digital Procurement Platform. This platform integrates technological and commercial best practices, facilitates electronic signing and online contracts, and enables companies to register and update their data electronically, qualifying them to participate in federal government tenders.
The UAE Ministry of Finance recently launched an updated catalogue for the Digital Procurement Platform in line with the UAE’s Digital Government Strategy 2025 and the UAE Strategy for Government Services.
Omar Alsuwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the Industry Sector Committee in the Council, affirmed the committee’s commitment to empowering industrial companies in technological transformation. The committee aims to promote innovation, adopt advanced technology in industrial systems and solutions, and support the UAE’s position as a global destination for leading future industries.
Alsuwaidi highlighted the committee’s efforts to enable industrial companies to adopt and implement these technologies, enhance the industrial sector’s added value to the country’s GDP, support industrial efficiency and sustainability, and attract Emirati investments in the industrial sector.
He added that the committee has conducted assessments for 389 companies in the industrial sector so far.
The Council concluded the second phase of its subcommittees’ initiatives, which aim to support the UAE’s strategic goals in AI. The initiatives focus on enhancing the adoption of AI in government entities to enhance the UAE’s competitiveness in priority sectors. The Council also discussed updates on the UAE Artificial Intelligence Award and its key plans aimed at adopting the best uses of AI.
Additionally, the Committee for Regulating Artificial Intelligence Purchases in Government Entities showcased the mechanism and updates of the digital procurement platform. This platform aims to enhance the digital transformation of procurement strategy in the federal government by utilising AI technologies to facilitate user experience, digitise financial procedures, and to improve procurement efficiency.
The Industry Sector Committee of the Council showcased the Guide to the Use Cases for the Industrial Technology Transformation Index (ITTI). This Guide aims to empower the UAE’s industrial ecosystem through AI and advanced technology solutions. It includes over 90 high-impact use cases identified as priorities out of more than 1,530 Industry 4.0 applications, with potential market opportunities worth AED1.5 billion based on the best use cases.
The Guide reviews several use cases of artificial intelligence within the industrial-technological transformation journey, including integrated and automated production planning and scheduling, activation of AI technologies and machine learning to improve processes and production efficiency, quality inspection, productivity monitoring, digital twin technology for product design and production improvement, employing robots in automated assembly line activities, cybersecurity measures, and improving water consumption using artificial intelligence.