Emirates Foundation links up with Responsible AI to harness the tech for global good at UNGA

The Emirates Foundation recently entered into a partnership agreement with the Responsible AI Future Foundation, headquartered in New York, as part of the UAE's broader initiative to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for the greater good on a global scale. The signing ceremony occurred just prior to a discussion on AI, philanthropy, and inclusive growth at the UAE's UN mission, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proceedings.

The Emirates Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Abu Dhabi, was established in 2005 with the mission of fostering social development through public-private collaborations. The Responsible AI Future Foundation, jointly launched by Microsoft and Abu Dhabi's G42, with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence as a founding academic partner, seeks to assist Middle Eastern and global nations in developing tailored AI capabilities that align with their respective languages, cultures, and requirements.

The two foundations' collaboration aims to harness AI for broader societal benefits, implement responsible AI practices, develop capacity and skills, and ensure that the advantages are accessible to communities facing critical challenges. According to Ahmed Al Shamsi, secretary general of the Emirates Foundation, the partnership is a significant milestone in a year-and-a-half-long endeavor to leverage AI for positive impact.

He emphasized that the signing is not merely the beginning but rather a crucial step in executing initiatives not only at the UAE level but globally.

Upon announcing the partnership at the UNGA, Al Shamsi stressed the importance of involving a diverse range of stakeholders in addressing global challenges. He stated that the UAE serves as a platform for global collaboration, encouraging as many participants as possible to join hands in fostering progress. The foundation's focus is on the "four Ps" – people, philanthropy, public, and private – in order to effectively build and advance significant causes.

Even before the formal agreement was finalized, efforts to implement AI for good have already commenced. The foundation's team has developed a sandbox environment to test and refine use cases, with the goal of ultimately deploying innovative solutions that benefit communities worldwide.