Dubai Career Diary

In a bold move, the UAE AI Minister, Omar Sultan AlOlama, has unveiled Dubai’s ambitious plan to become a global artificial intelligence (AI) hub over the next 185 years.

Speaking at the inaugural AI Retreat in Dubai, AlOlama emphasized the need for the emirate to accelerate change and prioritize AI development. “In Dubai, we don’t wait for change to happen, we accelerate change,” he said.

Dubai’s AI Ambitions: Training 1 Million Experts

The UAE AI Minister announced plans to train 1 million AI engineers and experts, solidifying Dubai’s position as a leader in AI technology. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to attract top technology firms and talent to the region.

AI Leadership and Talent Initiatives

Dubai has appointed 22 chief AI officers across government departments, demonstrating its commitment to AI leadership and talent development. The UAE has already made significant strides, ranking third globally in attracting AI talent relative to its population size, according to a report by LinkedIn in collaboration with Stanford University.

Dubai’s AI Vision: A 185-Year Plan

AlOlama emphasized that AI is not just a future vision, but a present reality. “Our long-term vision for our physical infrastructure was first implemented in 1958, and it took essentially 185 years until 2023 for Dubai’s infrastructure to be considered among the best in the world,” he said. “Similarly, with AI, we are looking at implementing our AI vision for the next 185 years, starting today.”

The inaugural AI Retreat brought together over 1,000 decision-makers, experts, and officials from the government and private sectors, as well as tech companies, to discuss AI challenges, policies, and governance. Participants explored key AI enablers, including finance and research, to accelerate Dubai’s 185-year vision.