Tech and legal professionals in Dubai have praised an ambitious new roadmap to drive artificial intelligence across the economy and public services, calling it a bold vision to secure the emirate’s future as a global hub for AI.
The Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, unveiled by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed on Tuesday, establishes an annual roadmap to drive AI adoption across sectors and enhance quality of life through targeted projects.
“We have realised record-breaking accomplishments that have established us as the premier hub for billion-dollar global enterprises in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors within the region,” Sheikh Hamdan said in a statement.
“To enhance Dubai’s global leadership, today we launch the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence.”
Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI
The UAE has been an early mover in AI, launching the first national AI strategy in 2017 and appointing one of the world’s first AI ministers. Dubai is now doubling down with a string of new initiatives.
In 1999, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum initiated the pioneering journey of the future by launching Dubai's digital transformation, a venture that has continued to achieve milestones leading to the recent unveiling of the Dubai Digital Strategy last year. We… pic.twitter.com/Z9XI9Z8ONP
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) April 29, 2024
The first batch will see Dubai government entities appoint Chief AI Officers to drive implementation. Incubators and AI campuses will nurture startups, while a new trade license will ease companies’ entry into the market. Meanwhile, Dubai’s schools will hold AI weeks and new programs will help attract data centers critical for resource-intensive AI applications.
“Dubai is a city centred around its people, and to this end, we will dedicate all our resources and energy to make it the happiest place in the world,” Sheikh Hamdan added.
With the blueprint, Dubai aims to add AED100 billion ($27 billion) in value from digital transformation to its economy and boost economic productivity by 50 percent through innovation and AI by 2033.
A major push for pioneering tech
Since allowing foreign ownership and providing incentives in the 1990s, Dubai has become a hub for multinationals’ regional operations, particularly in technology and e-commerce.
“Dubai is championing the development of initiatives that can have a positive wholesale impact not just regionally, but across the world,” Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial at TECOM Group PJSC, told Arabian Business on behalf of tech hub Dubai Internet City.
“Early adopters of AI technologies, such as IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle have flourished in the local market with a base at Dubai Internet City,” he added.
The newly launched blueprint will enable “such pioneering industry leaders to add greater value to their ongoing AI-oriented efforts, benefiting not just Dubai but the global tech landscape.”
He expected the initiative to attract more investment and global AI talent to Dubai, noting the emirate offered a “complete ecosystem” with infrastructure, incentives, and a multicultural lifestyle.
Dubai Internet City could expect to see more tech firms set up to capitalise on the opportunity. The tech hub is one of the region’s largest and serves as a platform for over 3,500 customers and more than 29,000 professionals and entrepreneurs.
“Our legacy is enabling the connections and collaborations that can accelerate Dubai’s and the UAE’s economic diversification and knowledge-based economy, and we remain committed to championing our community’s initiatives towards unlocking our city’s future potential.”
Kellie Blyth, technology and privacy Partner at law firm Addleshaw Goddard, believes the city’s start-up space will become even more “active” as companies look to develop and commercialise AI-driven offerings.
“This innovation will drive a wave of private and institutional investment in the hope of backing the next regional unicorn,” she told Arabian Business. “We are also likely to see established international players look to take advantage of the Dubai sandbox to pilot new tools and applications.”
AI regulation
While bullish on AI’s potential, experts highlighted the need for robust guardrails to ensure its responsible and ethical use.
“The government’s attention to investing in technology education and incubation, as well as its progress in establishing foundational frameworks for appropriate regulatory controls, demonstrates how disruption and governance can be effectively balanced,” said Nick Athanasi, Senior Managing Director of advisory FTI Technology.
“While there is always an element of risk when pursuing new technology applications, Dubai’s initiatives have helped to create guidelines and expectations that will help organisations better understand and moderate those risks.”
Addleshaw Goddard’s Blyth also welcomed Dubai’s plans for dedicated AI governance including the appointment of Chief AI Officers at all government bodies.
“Despite our best intentions, as human beings we are often resistant to change so appointing someone whose main role will be to influence, persuade and inspire the organisation will greatly improve the initiative’s chances of success,” she added.
However, Blyth cautioned against overly rigid AI regulation that could hamper innovation.
“Good regulation in the technology sector has to be robust and flexible and so I expect any policies or regulations introduced to expressly govern AI, if any, to be principles-based frameworks which are outcome-focused,” she added.
“Rigid regulation risks stifling innovation and so should be avoided where possible.”
Global AI race
Dubai’s AI push comes amid an accelerating global race between nations, companies, and regions to lead AI development and unlock its transformative economic potential.
“What sets the Emirate of Dubai apart from its counterparts is the unique vision first conceived by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in 2010, a vision that still steers Dubai’s leadership today. That and the ability to make swift and cohesive decisions, which is a crucial advantage in an industry where the speed of progress is unparalleled,” said Blyth.
For Dubai, the blueprint could give it a competitive edge in industries of the future like mobility, smart cities, digital services, and next-generation transportation and logistics.
“Looking to the future, I expect to see increased investment in the (AI) sector and an acceleration of technological innovation,” Blyth added. “More AI companies will invest in the emirate, attracted by the permissive attitude of the authorities and the favourable surrounding business landscape.”
Athanasi of FTI Technology added that organisations in Dubai pursuing AI should also prioritise governance and risk mitigation.
“Businesses must uphold key principles and set a tone for what’s acceptable, leaning into known fundamentals of regulatory frameworks and governance strategies as enablers for growth and progress,” he said.
According to Al Malik, the new AI blueprint will “cement Dubai’s leadership in strategic technology implementation and strengthen its position as a model for other stakeholders to emulate.”
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