Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
During the 19th edition of Aletihad Forum on Monday, technology experts and researchers examined how AI can drive sustainable development, underscoring the UAE's commitment to pioneering AI technologies for a better future.
Saeed Aldhaheri, Director of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai, presented a paper titled "Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Pathways that are Changing Our World."
Aldhaheri kicked off his presentation with an AI-generated equation emphasising the need to blend AI efficiency and data insights with human wisdom, ethical judgment, and creativity to foster prosperity.
He noted AI's transformative power in driving digital transformation, enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and creating added value.
Demonstrating the UAE's leadership in this area, Aldhaheri cited the Bustanica AI-enabled hydroponic vertical farm in Dubai, which produces 3,000kg of leafy greens daily and one million kg annually, using 95% less water than traditional agriculture.
He also discussed the evolving landscape of human-AI collaboration, emphasising that while AI adoption may lead to job displacements, it concurrently paves the way for job creation and transformation.
According to Aldhaheri, challenges posed by AI include job loss, the need for workforce upskilling, the growing tech gap between nations, overreliance on technology, misinformation, and ethical concerns such as biases and ownership rights.
Highlighting the importance of responsible governance, Aldhaheri called for the establishment of guidelines, laws, and compliance principles to regulate the development and use of AI technologies.
Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Chairperson of the United Nations' AI for Good Impact Initiative and an AI Consultant for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), shared her experience leading the development of Noor, the world's largest Arabic natural language processing model, launched by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
She detailed challenges faced during its creation, particularly the scarcity of high-quality Arabic data, which was resolved through collaboration with Aletihad newspaper.
In November 2022, Aletihad became the first Arab publication to feature an article entirely written by AI using the Noor model. Almazrouei also played a pivotal role in developing the Falcon AI generative models, including Falcon 40B and Falcon 180B.
In the discussion, she stressed the importance of responsible AI use and governance, advocating for skill development among youth to promote responsible innovation for a brighter future.
Dr. Jamal Alsawalhi, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Khalifa University, presented on how AI can be leveraged to enhance the quality of life.
He cited examples such as the Abu Dhabi Police utilising AI-powered smart systems and radars to detect traffic violations, and companies integrating AI technologies transitioning to a four-day workweek, as AI streamlines daily tasks.
However, there remain challenges to be addressed, such as job displacement, energy consumption, and supply chain issues, Alsawalhi noted.
He further highlighted UAE efforts to lead innovations in the field of AI, including G42, a leading AI and cloud computing company committed to leveraging technology for better daily living, in addition to Falcon 40B, the UAE's leading large-scale open-source AI model.