UAE Introduces Blockchain and AI Initiatives

The Second United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government Annual Meetings ended with the introduction of two proposals involving blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI).

This is according to a report from the Emirates News Agency.

At the meeting hosted by the governmental AI and Blockchain Joint Working Group, participants tackled different strategies to entice foreign investment and generate needed technological infrastructure, as well as possible challenges related to blockchain and AI implementation.

The meeting broadcasted the introduction of the AI and Blockchain Guide Initiative, which seeks to work on a standardized definition of the technologies on the federal level, as well as present the concepts of AI and its implementation to relevant entities.

The National Programme for AI and Blockchain Capacity Building was also launched at the said gathering. The program will provide university courses and scholarships in AI and blockchain technology under the Ministry of Education.

Furthermore, the Programme will offer specific professional training courses “across all professional levels, and seeks to integrate artificial intelligence in the different stages of education.”

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, had this to say on the initiatives:

“The UAE is keen to adopt AI and blockchain technologies in all the economic, health, educational and other vital sectors. It seeks to boost cooperation and forge partnerships between the various government, federal and local entities, international companies and startups in a bid to find effective and innovative solutions and make a positive impact.”

Attendees cited the significance of keeping pace with technological alterations and achieving the UAE’s goal to become a foremost country in the adoption of AI by 2031 through the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. The government also seeks to modify 50 percent of transactions onto a blockchain platform by 2021.