SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, declared the UAE’s ambition to become a global artificial intelligence (AI) hub by 2071, a vision that is driving the country’s transformation to smart cities powered by cloud computing, AI and cutting-edge technology.
He was speaking at the opening of the “CyberQ: Security in the Quantum Era” conference at ADNEC, organised by the UAE Cyber Security Council in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
The event brings together experts, industry executives, as well as policymakers to address quantum-era cybersecurity problems, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to technological leadership and solutions to protect sensitive data and infrastructure.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti cautioned that with technical advancements come new hazards, particularly from quantum computing.
“And this is where quantum comes in - we need to move beyond the conventional binary system of zeros and ones, and embrace quantum physics. We need to focus on qubits, more data, and superposition. This shift will provide more processing power, greater speed, and enhanced security,” he said.
He discussed the UAE’s plans to introduce a post-quantum encryption policy to enhance security and combat emerging threats, a big part of which is fostering global collaboration with private sector, governmental bodies and international organisations.
With the emergence of quantum computing, he said: “Our main message from this conference is to spread cybersecurity awareness and raise awareness about quantum computing. As always, the UAE aims to be the model in this regard and share it with the world, helping the global community in these aspects.”
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the TII, stressed the need for collaboration to tackle the security challenges of quantum computers and cryptographic systems, due to their exponential processing speed.
She highlighted TII’s commitment to staying ahead in this field, stating: “At TII, we are focused on developing the technologies and conducting the research necessary to keep the UAE at the forefront. We are working on quantum-safe cryptography, quantum communication systems, quantum key distribution (QKD), hybrid cryptographic solutions, and more forward-looking technologies aimed at protecting us from the quantum threat.”
Dr. Aaraj also stressed the importance of collaboration, saying: “Beyond technology, it is about building trust-trust that the digital world relies on the relationships we cultivate, with standardisation bodies, research communities, and cybersecurity experts working together to ensure secure, reliable cryptographic solutions.”
Seizo Onoe, ITU Director, highlighted the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
Onoe highlighted the dual nature of quantum technology, noting: “While we could achieve strong AI, we must also prepare for the significant new risks that quantum computing will bring. These preparations are urgent, and we need to anticipate new threats and act now.”
The ITU is focusing on network and cybersecurity aspects, counting quantum key distribution for secure encryption and authentication.
He also drew attention to the need for collaboration: “Our quantum focus group will create an open platform to shape the future of standards coordination. This responsibility now lies with our joint activity on quantum key distribution networks, which is vital for both adopting quantum technology and establishing trust in its standards.”
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Al Kuwaiti discussed the challenges of quantum computing and reflected on the UAE’s transformation into a digital hub.
“This transformation is driven by the adoption of cloud computing, AI, the Internet of Things, and other advanced technologies across sectors like finance, education, transportation, and oil and gas,” he said.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged the rising risks associated with this digital transformation.
“While we embrace these technologies, we must also adapt a robust cybersecurity culture to ensure secure transformations. It is not just about hardening systems with layers; it is about integrating quantum computing, which is faster and unbreakable in many areas.”
Dr. Al Kuwaiti stressed the need for post-quantum algorithms to improve privacy and security.
“We must upscale the capabilities of our people and academia to keep pace with these advancements. We also need to establish governance and policies to ensure this new technology is adopted in a compliant, efficient and optimised way.”