GEC NEWS WIREThe Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, ADDA, hosted the first Digital Majlis to discuss ideas for a sustainable digital future for all and the impact of rapid technological advancements in future governance.
Under the theme, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Government, the private event was held at Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi and was attended by HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; HE Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; HE Dr Mugheer Khamis Al-Khaili, Chairman of Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi; HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of Department of Health, Abu Dhabi; HE Dr Rauda Al Saadi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Digital Authority; HE Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Director General of Abu Dhabi School of Government, Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive VP, Khalifa University; HE Dr Yousef Al Shaiba Khamis Al Sheryani, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge; and top ranking local and international government officials and members of the private sector, academia and students.
The inaugural edition of Digital Majlis hosted local and international government officials, private sector leaders, representatives from academia and students for an interactive discussion on the opportunities and challenges from AI for the future of government, with a focus on the impact of AI on government jobs and education. Naser El Tibi from Al Arabiya News moderated the discussion.
The discussions covered the impact of AI on governments today and role of government to ensure the ethical use of AI to benefit society. It also touched on coming changes to the nature of employment as AI overtakes routinised tasks and the steps governments can take to prepare people for the future of work.
The conversations also considered the long-range impact of AI on the education system and the new skill sets required to excel in the 4th Industrial Revolution era. An outcome document summarising key decisions and action points will be shared during ADDA’s upcoming flagship event ‘Digital Next,’ which will take place in December in Abu Dhabi.
The Digital Majlis, inspired by the Arab tradition of majlis, provided a forum to discuss the societal impacts of digital disruption and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It was an ideal opportunity for diverse stakeholders to share experiences and debate emerging trends. With outcome-driven conversations, the Digital Majlis contributed to accelerating the UAE’s digital transformation, while also supporting implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals.
Emphasising the importance of embracing a digital future, HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi says, “The UAE seeks to leverage top-notch technologies, particularly AI, across diverse sectors, in line with the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071. Today, there is little doubt that digital technologies hold incredible promise for the advancement of the human race and its well-being. At the same time, its growing uptake raises important questions and challenges that need to be effectively addressed in order for us to harness the full potential of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including AI. In this context, platforms such as the Digital Majlis help identify best practices in optimising technology adoption to achieve a sustainable, inclusive and trustworthy digital future for us all.”
HE Omar Al Olama says, “It is quite clear that AI is at a tipping point. It has already been infused much into our daily lives, and it will soon play an important role in how we work, learn and govern. Today we discussed preparedness for AI from the perspective of government, the private sector and academia. In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as stated in the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence; our goal is to make the UAE the most prepared nation for AI by 2030.”
HE Dr Rauda Al Saadi, Director General, ADDA, says, “In line with our mission to enable, support and deliver a digital government that is personalised, proactive, collaborative, and secure, Digital Majlis brought together stakeholders in Abu Dhabi’s digital transformation to share knowledge, experiences and insights and jointly address challenges in order to define a roadmap for the digital future. By building on diverse experiences and requirements put forward by the forum, we will be able to lead a digital future for Abu Dhabi that multiplies opportunities and enriches lives of everyone.”
“The Digital Majlis furthers our commitment to working across the digital government ecosystems to formulate effective strategies, policies and standards through partnerships and innovation. The outcome of today’s collaborative dialogue will form an integral part of our roadmap for Abu Dhabi’s digital future,” she concludes.
