UAE training 80,000 government employees as AI 'super users', minister says

Abu Dhabi: The UAE is gearing up to train approximately 80,000 government workers as artificial intelligence (AI) super users, according to Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Ministry of State for Artificial Intelligence. Speaking at the 'Ai Everything Abu Dhabi', Al Olama emphasized that the program underscores the government's belief that everyone seeking to capitalize on AI must grasp how to utilize it.

He declared the training initiative to be 'very aggressive' but did not specify a completion date or the curriculum details. Al Olama also discussed the delicate balance between innovation and regulation, noting that many governments keep these two functions separate, with limited interaction between innovators and regulators. In contrast, the UAE has encouraged innovators to assume regulator roles and vice versa.

Al Olama foresees the emergence of one-person companies driven by AI agents, which could evolve into multimillion-dollar or even billion-dollar enterprises. The UAE, he noted, is at the forefront of AI development, having been dismissed as a gimmick nine years ago when the country initiated its AI efforts. The minister stressed the growing responsibility that comes with AI's mainstream adoption, focusing on protecting the UAE's reputation and ensuring the technology continues to serve as a model for the world.

When queried about what constitutes 'winning' in AI, Al Olama stated that the government's definition extends beyond productivity gains and economic output, emphasizing the transformation of a significant number of lives for the better through AI. He also addressed the competition with established AI hubs, asserting that the UAE aims to be the fastest to market, prioritizing effective adoption and application over mere invention.