Amna Al Ketbi (Dubai)
The Dubai Artificial Intelligence Forum was launched on Wednesday under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, from October 11-12.
The launch was attended by major technology companies, as well as international institutions specialised in productive AI, which discussed its opportunities, capabilities, and ways to develop its uses in designing a better future. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, the CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, revealed expectations that artificial intelligence will contribute to a 7% increase in global GDP over a decade.
"Governments and countries can benefit from artificial intelligence and its uses in analysing big data to formulate economic strategies and anticipate future opportunities in sectors like education, health care, commerce, industry, services, finance, resource management, operational efficiency, production, and achieving the best sustainability standards and risk management," he said.
Turning to the purpose of the forum, Belhoul added: "The Dubai Artificial Intelligence Forum aims to foresee the future of productive AI and inform governments and communities about the importance of benefiting from its tools and opportunities, ensuring the best quality of life for people. This coincides with the forecasted growth of its global value from $10 billion in 2022 to $110.8 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 34.3%.
This includes artificial intelligence, with its promising opportunities that reinforce Dubai's position as a destination for innovators and creators and as a platform for partnerships between governments and the private sector to elevate the quality of life and empower future generations with future opportunities."
Hamad Al Sherawi, the Director of the Dubai Artificial Intelligence Forum, said that the forum serves as a platform to bring together emerging AI companies. Al Sherawi also noted that the forum is also the largest global gathering for envisioning the future and exploring opportunities of generative artificial intelligence.
Generative artificial intelligence was chosen as the main theme of this year's forum, given the growing global interest in its applications and uses, which will contribute to reshaping various vital sectors. Al Sherawi emphasised that the extensive global participation from leading technology companies confirms the importance of the topics that the forum sessions and activities will address.
At the forefront of these topics is strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors and exploring opportunities for positive collaboration. According to Al Sherawi, the forum aims to provide a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence, and its applications, capabilities, and opportunities, especially since it is currently one of the most impactful and advanced technologies being spread around the world.
The forum's agenda, organised by the Dubai Future Foundation, includes more than 20 dialogue sessions, keynote speeches, and over 25 specialised sessions over two days.
Over 70 speakers from the world's largest technology companies, government entities, and international institutions are set to participate.
The forum's sessions focus on five main themes, including reviewing concepts and applications of generative artificial intelligence; introducing the sectors most affected by generative AI; the role of governments and legislative bodies; the relationship between generative AI and emerging technologies; and the competitive advantages of AI for major tech companies and start-ups.