Are you AI-READY?

The UAE has a vision to become a world leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2031, creating new economic and social opportunities for citizens, governments and businesses and generating up to Dh335 billion in extra growth.

AI is the future: A myth or fact? Whatever be one's belief, AI is changing how we work and live our lives - from SIRI to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing rapidly. While science fiction often portrays AI as robots with human-like characteristics, AI can encompass anything from Google's search algorithms to IBM's Watson to autonomous weapons.
The UAE is all set to witness surge in adapting AI within businesses over the next three years, particularly as a growing number of executives look to AI to drive their digital agendas.
In recent years, the UAE has become synonymous with advancement and futuristic development. The nation is ranked first in the Arab world when it comes to adopting AI in all aspects of life. In the past few years, its officials have been focused on introducing AI technologies to the country.
Earlier this year, the UAE Cabinet officially approved an ambitious strategy that aims to help place the country 'at the forefront of global efforts to develop artificial intelligence.'
The plan comprises of eight objectives, "including reaffirming the UAE's position as a global AI hub, employing AI in customer services and recruiting and training people to work in fields which will be driven by the technology for years to come".
This strategy, the first-of-its-kind in the world, covers the development and application of advanced technologies in nine sectors including transport, health, space, renewable energy, water, technology, education, environment, and traffic. The plan also aims to boost government performance in every aspect and taking the country to a new level regarding economy and business.
Headed by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, the department is also tasked with working with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to include AI as part of the national curriculum, preparing and training people for jobs of the future.
His Excellency Al Olama also said the UAE is focused on becoming a global hub for artificial intelligence and stressed that the country has all it takes to push its AI strategy forward.
Earlier this year, the minister announced a "Think AI" initiative - the campaign aims at accelerating "the adoption of AI and its uses in various key strategic sectors" in the UAE. Under it, the country hosted a series of roundtables, workshops, and panel discussions with the participation of field experts from across the world.
This year, Khaleej Times is back again with the second edition of the Artificial Intelligence Summit - Artelligence Forum 2019, the region's leading platform on technology. The Forum will be inaugurated by His Excellency Al Olama. In his keynote address, His Excellency will share his insights on the UAE AI Strategy, outlining the UAE's ambition to be at the forefront of technological revolution, highlighting the Ministry's contribution to UAE, along with its initiatives to make lives easier for the residents and citizens of the country. Prior to his appointment, His Excellency has worked on developing the UAE's Artificial Intelligence Strategy, making it the first such strategy of its kind globally.
His Excellency Al Olama is currently the Managing Director of the World Government Summit. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation. In November 2017, the UAE Government announced selecting HE. Omar Al Olama as a member of the Future of Digital Economy and Society Council at the World Economic Forum. During his work in the Future Department at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, His Excellency participated in developing the UAE Centennial 2071 strategy that aims to position the UAE as the best country in the world.
The Forum will also host keynote speakers such as Richard Vdovjak, Principal Scientist, Data Science & AI, Royal Philips, the Netherlands, who will shed light on AI technology in the healthcare sector; Andrea Renda, AI Expert Group, European Commission, whose session would lean towards AI for the greater good of the society; Abhijit Akerkar, Head of Applied Sciences Business Integration, Lloyds Banking Group, UK, will speak about cracking to code to reap AI riches.
Other prominent speakers from across the globe include the likes of Johnson Poh, Head of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence; Adel Al Tamimi, Director of Artificial Intelligence, DEWA; Reza Khorshidi, Chief Data Scientist, AIG, UK; Anwaar Al Shimmari, Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, UAE; Faisal Ali Al Shimmari, Founder and Chairman, Emirates Child Protection Association, Hussain Al Fardan, CIO, Head of Innovation Center, Dubai Customs, UAE; Martin Treder, Managing Director of Data Management, FedEx, The Netherlands; Hamed Valizadegan, Senior Machine Learning Scientist, NASA, USA; Dr Ayesha Al Mutawa, Chief Innovation Officer, Strategy and Future Shaping Advisor; and Mats Carrgard, Senior V-P, Business Performance, Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa.
Taking place on September 4-5, 2019, at Address Dubai Mall, UAE, the forum will gather over 300 government, business and technology leaders together under one roof to understand how AI will impact their business models and help them prepare an AI strategy at the board level. The biggest names from across the globe will show how far they have reached in AI implementation and what the future looks like for their industry with AI at the centre.
Implementing and adopting AI strategies would not have been possible without the assistance of technology and solution providers who made the transition hassle-free though their services and products. Artelligence Forum is pleased to have participation from such solution providers including Automation Anywhere (Lead Sponsor), Blue Prism (Strategic Sponsor), PwC (Knowledge Partner),  Oracle, Alteryx and Darktrace (Gold Sponsors), IBM (AI Masterclass Leader) and DG Business, the enterprise division of DG Sharaf (Supporting Partner).

• Supplements