Technological innovations have been at the forefront of economic development throughout history. With its progressive development, limitless scope and massive funding, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in particular Machine Learning have become the most important technology of this generation. AI powered machines are now capable of understanding human speech, self-driving vehicles, powering intelligent content delivery systems, operating machines and interpreting sophisticated data.
What is AI?
In contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans, artificial intelligence or AI is the intelligence exhibited by machines. It works by perceiving a situation or environment to produce decisions or actions that maximize its chance to achieve success. In simpler terms, AI is the reactions that a machine mimics of a human minds’ cognitive functions such as “learning,” “Judgement” and “problem-solving.” The term Artificial Intelligence was coined way back in 1955 by a renowned math professor in Dartmouth College, Hampshire, US and is making exponential advances, mainly in the areas of perception and cognition.
Artificial Intelligence in Business
From speech-powered assistants like Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa to pragmatic technologies such as behavioral algorithms, suggestive search engine bots and self-driving vehicles integrated with amazing predictive capabilities, AI is everywhere in business. Even though AI is still in its infancy, its contemporary uses are abundant. Here are a few examples tech giants using AI integration to collectively manage their products, systems, and tasks.
- Tesla
Tesla has been on the forefronts of AI technology, using innovative techniques and software to predict obstacles and moving objects for its vehicles when driving on busy roads
Facebook, the world’s largest social media platform is using pattern-recognition technology to recognize and filter content based on predefined red flags to identify controversial online behavior.
Google is a champion of AI integration, diversifying its search mechanics with algorithms in place to learn and adapt to changing user preferences. Google is further widening its reach in AI by planning to open an AI research centre in Beijing, China with the aim of making AI work on finding solutions for global issues.
AI in UAE
The rising economic stakes and challenging political atmosphere have brought many governments to recognize the importance and potential of artificial intelligence technology. While some countries such as USA and Germany have already started taking steps to implement AI into their government systems, UAE has made a huge leap by appointing a minister to run in charge of AI sector. The 27-year-old Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama is one of the six newly appointed ministers to pursue UAE’s interest in developing AI.
UAE’s AI Strategy
UAE’s AI Ministry has already taken off by launching its services to assist various future services, sectors and infrastructure projects. The strategy will boost government performance on every level by integrating smart digital systems to overcome various economic, social and administrative challenges.
From the five themes cited in the strategy, the aim is to reduce rate of accidents, minimize spread of chronic diseases, decrease operation cost, initiate renewable energy projects, research on new water resources, introduce advance education systems, conduct forestation campaigns and launch UAE’s very own space program.
UAE’s installation of dedicated ministry is being seen as the boldest move so far by a country regarding the significance of this technology and pioneering its applications for the future.
Many UAE companies and business setup have also started their descent into this field, centering their business models and hardware around artificial intelligence in Dubai to ensure era-appropriate technology is offered to their customers.
Future of AI in UAE
In October last month UAE also became the first country to officially grant citizenship to AI-powered robot “Sophia,” a humanoid thinking machine that communicates and reacts through human speech with real-life facial expressions.
Sophia was featured in the 2017 artificial intelligence Conference at the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh that made headlines throughout the world.
UAE’s future-focused ambitions have influenced heavy investment in this sector, putting it at the forefront of AI implementation in the world. In a recent expo, Dubai revealed its plans to deploy robot cops in the streets by 2030, a feat it hopes would solve misallocation of resources and save valuable lives in the field of action.
In an interview, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said, “We want the UAE to become the world’s most prepared country for artificial intelligence”. With these ongoing developments, UAE is on track to become a new hub for emerging AI technologies and mechanisms.
