UAE Establishes AI Council to Boost Tech Hub

UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has established the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued a statute founding the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC).

The council will oversee the implementation and development of artificial intelligence (AI) policies and strategies applied to research, infrastructure, and investments, as announced by the government of Abu Dhabi in UAE.

In addition to formulating policies, the council will also establish strategies and research projects with partners from both the local and international communities.

This aims to “improve Abu Dhabi’s standing” in artificial intelligence. The move is also in line with the efforts that the emirate is making to become a center for investments, collaborations, and talent in sophisticated technology.

Furthermore, the president appointed Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the chairman of the AIATC. On the other hand, an introduced resolution appointed Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as vice chairman.

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to establish the country as a global technology hub for aspiring companies and has welcomed many technical breakthroughs.

In 2018, the nation publicly announced its Emirates Blockchain Strategy, aimed at promoting the widespread adoption of blockchain technology.

It was in March 2022 that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, formed the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) to regulate digital assets and cryptocurrencies.

In July 2022, it also increased its efforts in the metaverse by announcing the Dubai Metaverse Strategy. This strategy has the objective of assisting with more than 40,000 virtual jobs by the following year, which is 2030.

More lately, the UAE has been making artificial intelligence technology one of its primary areas of concentration. On August 15, 2023, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) made commercial licenses for artificial intelligence and web3 firms available with a subsidy of ninety percent.

Mr. Mohammad Alblooshi, the Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Innovation Hub, stated that the issuance of the licenses was an effort to “attract more global talent and investment to the region.”

The nation also established a free economic zone specifically designated for service providers of Web3 content and artificial intelligence, in addition to providing commercial permits at a reduced price.

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) introduced the RAK Digital Assets Oasis (DAO) on October 19, 2023. This oasis allows users to access Web3, digital assets, and artificial intelligence.