The UAE and the US are shaping the future of artificial intelligence

 Artificial Intelligence 

                                                               

The UAE and the US are shaping the future of artificial intelligence

The deal between Microsoft and G42 is just one step in the race to realize the industry's potential, and to mitigate its risks, as Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, emphasized in a recent Bloomberg article.

According to Al Otaiba, just as oil was the wealth of the last century, data has become the destiny of this one. He added: "The age of artificial intelligence has arrived, a transformative moment that will touch all aspects of modern life and international affairs." He continued: "It is a moment that could slip through our fingers...

 Artificial intelligence is a technology that can spread at a speed unimaginable a decade ago, transcending the constraints and boundaries imposed by the physical world." Commercial deals, such as the one announced this month between Microsoft and the Abu Dhabi-based G42, reinforce the speed with which the next generation of artificial intelligence will spread, benefiting the entire world.

The UAE... Artificial Intelligence

The UAE Ambassador to the United States said about this agreement, which includes a $1.5 billion investment from the American software giant in the UAE's leading AI technology company, that it represents the culmination of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two institutions. This partnership will advance regional AI solutions, develop a specialized technology workforce, and increase data center capacity around the world.

To secure the benefits that AI holds, governments must compete to realize the technology's potential and mitigate its harms. He added, "But who will control data and computing power? What are the necessary rules to ensure equitable and responsible access for both emerging and developed markets? Where is the clean energy needed to power the data centers that are the backbone of AI?" 

He added, "The UAE is working with the United States and other partners to write a new rulebook for this advanced technology to address these challenges. This involves recalibrating government regulations, reimagining public-private sector collaboration, and reshaping our relationships around the world." This guide is based on fundamental principles that allow AI to flourish, while establishing a regulatory framework to ensure the technology's fair and ethical use.

The Age of Artificial Intelligence

Al Otaiba continues in his article: First, there needs to be more cooperation between governments. In the case of the UAE and the US, while each brings a different perspective to the table, we have fundamental alignment regarding our views on AI. In particular, we agree that the age of AI must be more equal. Bridging the digital divide and giving countries more control over their data are key priorities.

UAE-US Cooperation

Al Otaiba says in his article: Cooperation between the UAE and US governments provides a model for promoting the use of low-carbon and renewable energy sources to power energy-hungry data centers. The UAE's digital infrastructure is powered by some of the world's largest and most affordable solar panels, an expanding civilian nuclear energy program, and a purpose-built, congestion-free electricity distribution grid. Masdar, the UAE's renewable energy company, has become one of the world's largest investors in solar and wind power in the United States and more than 40 other countries.

He emphasizes the importance of harnessing this new technology for the benefit of society. This means applying the benefits of artificial intelligence in areas such as healthcare, education, and climate. In this regard, global policy must ensure that middle powers and the Global South have access to it. Finally, achieving this transformation will require large-scale capital, necessitating public-private sector collaboration. The UAE, for its part, will allocate hundreds of billions of dollars to this end.

Global Recognition of Emirati Expertise

In this context, Mohammed Al Harthi, an IT expert and business partner at Semicolon Ltd., says that the deal between Microsoft and the UAE's G42 strongly reflects the fact that the UAE and the US are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. He asserts that the collaboration between the two AI giants enhances the UAE's capabilities in this field and reflects global recognition of the UAE's expertise and technological advancements. He also believes that this partnership could benefit the Gulf region and the Middle East in general, explaining that investment in artificial intelligence is a crucial factor in promoting economic development and innovation in the region.