UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND AI “WE NEED TO BE LEADERS IN THE AI REVOLUTION”
Ahead of COP28, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze vast amounts of data for sophisticated modelling in support of development and climate action — while also ensuring Middle Eastern countries have a seat at the decision-making table By Zakaria Hanafi and Howard Hudson, OPEC Fund O mar Sultan Al Olama, UAE’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, has an ambitious plan to turn his country into a global leader in the so-called “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, the ongoing economic and societal shift spearheaded by AI and automation. Ahead of the UAE’s presidency of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference in November and December 2023, Minister Al Olama sat down with the OPEC Fund Quarterly to explain how technological innovation can turn the tide for development and climate change — through e ffi ciency gains, scenario planning and mobilizing millions of young people. Essentially, helping the next generation to shape a fairer and more sustainable future for all.
OPEC Fund Quarterly : Beyond hosting COP28 and the Headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UAE leads the Arab region in many areas, particularly AI. From your ministry’s perspective, how can AI contribute to climate action? Omar Sultan Al Olama: The UAE’s hosting of COP28 is a continuation of our e ff orts and belief that we need to be Good Samaritans for the planet – as countries, companies and individuals – and that we need to take a pragmatic, realistic approach in transitioning to a sustainable world. The UAE has been doing this for many years with investments in solar power thanks to the creation of companies such as Masdar, hosting IRENA and contributing to many other endeavors around the world.
When it comes to AI and climate action, we all need to remember that climate change is a problem that doesn’t have a specific cuto ff point. It’s an ongoing problem and we need to collect vast amounts of data to understand exactly what is happening and to grasp the full picture. So humanity needs to leverage AI to analyze all the data, understand its impact and do something about it. AI can become the advisor that crunches all the information, helps us understand the impacts, and simulates what we can do to mitigate and hopefully even reverse global climate change. There’s a lot of di ff erent utilities for AI where we can use it to address specific issues and industries — whether by increasing e ffi ciencies, reducing emissions, or doing more with less.
PROFILE: OMAR SULTAN AL OLAMA Omar Sultan Al Olama has been the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence since October 2017, becoming the world’s first minister in this field. In July 2020, his role was expanded to include Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. Most recently, he was also appointed Director General of the Prime Minister’s O ffi ce in 2023.
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