The UAE is striving to establish itself as a prominent voice in the global “battleground” for artificial intelligence policies, as the adoption of this technology accelerates at an unprecedented rate, according to Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq.
Mr. bin Touq highlighted the importance of these policies, stating, “Such policies – which are also being adopted in other major economies such as the US, Europe and China – are crucial for supporting economic development.” He spoke at the Gitex Global technology conference in Dubai on Monday, emphasizing that the government is actively building capacity, engaging with companies, and addressing various challenges. He noted that these policies provide valuable guidance for investors on where to direct their investments.
The UAE aims to grow its economy by 7% annually, targeting Dh3 trillion ($816.7 billion) by 2030. Mr. bin Touq asserted that new technologies, particularly those expected to have a near to medium-term impact, will play a vital role in achieving this goal. “Every industrial revolution had one thing, which is [building] efficiency in humans. AI is doing that as well – 10 times more. That’s an important aspect … moving forward,” he stated.
His remarks follow the UAE Cabinet’s announcement on Friday regarding an international policy on artificial intelligence aimed at preventing the misuse of this technology. Under this framework, the UAE will engage in international forums to promote the ethical use of AI, advocate for transparency, and support the formation of international alliances for governing AI systems.
Focus on the Future of Autonomous Transportation
Regarding autonomous transport, Mr. bin Touq expressed confidence that its integration into the UAE’s infrastructure will occur seamlessly, stating, “I don’t think we have the challenge of labour, logistics and transportation. Actually, the UAE is the best place for autonomy.” He emphasized that the country could implement driverless transport more effectively than larger nations like the US, highlighting the potential for reduced operational costs and lower carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with the UAE’s sustainability agenda.
The UAE has made significant strides in smart mobility. In July 2023, the UAE Cabinet granted the first preliminary national license for self-driving cars to the Chinese company WeRide. Additionally, Uber Technologies announced plans to incorporate self-driving cars from WeRide into its Abu Dhabi fleet later this year.
In October of the previous year, Abu Dhabi launched the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (Savi) cluster at the clean energy hub Masdar City. This initiative aims to position the emirate as a major center for the development of advanced vehicles while diversifying the economy and generating thousands of jobs. Officials estimate that this hub will contribute between Dh90 billion and Dh120 billion ($24.5 billion and $32.7 billion) to the UAE’s economy and create up to 50,000 jobs.
Moreover, Dubai began supervised testing of driverless vehicles on its public roads in October last year after the US self-driving technology company Cruise, backed by General Motors and Honda Motor, received a trial permit.
