Collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and driving the adoption of AI
At a time when much of our future seems dependent on the adoption of new technologies, companies in the UAE and MENA are taking bold steps towards making them the new normal. As the demand for AI and automation continues to grow with new applications emerging each day, most are seizing the opportunity.
While AI has gained significant attention and popularity in recent years, it is crucial to ensure that it is effectively integrated into various domains and industries while maintaining a balance between pushing the boundaries of innovation and practical adoption.
Maintaining this delicate equilibrium requires collaboration between researchers, developers, policymakers, and various stakeholders to create an environment that fosters innovation while also addressing the challenges associated with AI adoption, like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the impact on jobs and society.
The region acts as a testbed for tech giants
The region’s favourable conditions, including evolving customer demands, excellent connectivity market appetite, and government support, make it an ideal testbed for tech giants to introduce and implement holistic solutions. The UAE and the wider region have witnessed rapid adoption of various technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), across different sectors. This accelerated adoption is influenced by several factors that contribute to the region’s role as a playground for technology giants. The UAE recently announced a comprehensive guide on how to use Generative AI applications across various sectors for government entities to tap into. The government believes that generative AI applications such as ChatGPT could be used in a whole host of fields including education and healthcare.
Collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and driving the adoption of AI. Tech giants often form partnerships with local organisations, research institutions, and government entities to co-create and implement holistic solutions that cater to the region’s specific needs and challenges.
The UAE and the wider region boast a diverse market with a cosmopolitan population comprising residents and expatriates from various backgrounds. This diversity creates a unique market appetite for different AI applications and solutions. Tech giants can tap into this appetite and introduce tailored solutions that cater to specific sectors, such as healthcare, finance, transportation, and smart cities.
The region has seen significant advancements in telemedicine, leveraging AI technologies. Platforms like Vezeeta and Okadoc provide online healthcare consultations, allowing patients to connect with doctors remotely. AI-powered systems assist in triaging patients, providing initial diagnoses, and optimising the overall healthcare experience.
AI in the public and private sectors
The UAE’s smart city projects, such as Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City and Dubai’s Smart City initiative, incorporate AI technologies to improve urban planning, transportation, energy efficiency, and public services. For example, AI-enabled traffic management systems optimise traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance overall transportation efficiency.
Saudi Arabia has embraced AI through initiatives like New Murabba, a futuristic downtown area that promises to be the world’s first immersive experiential destination and can house over 100,00 residents and generate over 300,000 jobs, all of them with sustainability at their core. Similarly, NEOM, an AI-driven district being built from scratch, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), which focuses on AI research and development are all projects aim to attract tech giants, foster innovation, and serve as hubs for AI-driven solutions, ultimately contributing to the region’s growth and development.
Banks and financial institutions in the region too have integrated AI into their operations. The region has shown an increased interest in robotics and automation, particularly in industries like manufacturing and logistics. Robots equipped with AI capabilities are being used for tasks such as warehouse automation, inventory management, and production line optimisation, improving efficiency and reducing human error. Moreover, AI-powered security solutions, including facial recognition systems, video analytics, and predictive algorithms, are widely used in the region to enhance public safety and security. For instance, the UAE employs AI-powered surveillance systems to monitor public spaces and identify potential threats in real-time.
Conclusion
Digital technology integrators such as Redington is bridging the digital divide and finding unique opportunities like these to create digital harmony by leveraging its capabilities and collaborating with technology partners to bring innovative solutions to the Middle East. Redington Re-Imagine 2023, a mega technology summit, will provide a platform for some of the biggest names in the industry to come together and tap into the limitless possibilities for the future. By optimising a range of innovative solutions that extend beyond just business outcomes, countries like UAE and corporates in the region can create an ecosystem that aligns with the region’s policies, vision, and ambition for digital transformation, to create a sustainable future.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Dharshana Kosgalage
Quelle/Source: ITP.net - emergent tech, 09.06.2023
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