6 recommendations for developing government policy on artificial intelligence

The Federal National Council, headed by Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Council, during its third session of the second regular session of the 18th legislative term, which was held yesterday, in Abu Dhabi, adopted six recommendations to develop the government’s policy on artificial intelligence.

The recommendations emphasized the importance of reviewing legislation related to technical aspects and data protection to accommodate the concept of artificial intelligence and the developments it is witnessing, and creating legislation that regulates government data governance, in terms of classification, storage, exchange, privacy, and optimal use of the data available to data providers, in order to achieve a balance between the process of dissemination and exchange. Information, maintaining its confidentiality and privacy, and creating a unified platform for sharing open data between government and private institutions.

The recommendations included empowering entrepreneurs and emerging companies in the field of artificial intelligence, by providing financing, marketing assistance and technical support, and strengthening strong partnerships between the public and private sectors for research and development in the field of artificial intelligence, which will positively impact the implementation of the outcomes of the artificial intelligence strategy, and the country’s position in the report. Global artificial intelligence, and the application of indicators to measure the quality of government services provided and based on artificial intelligence applications to measure the efficiency of services provided to citizens. The Council decided to return the recommendations to the Technology, Energy, Mineral Resources and Public Utilities Affairs Committee, to reformulate them in accordance with the discussions of the members and return them. For the Council to approve and submit it to the government.

Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, the Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, reviewed the stages of the artificial intelligence strategy and government digital transformation in the UAE, noting that the country’s efforts began in 2002, and have come a long way until we reached the year 2017, and the UAE is one of the most In preparation for this file, countries are concerned with a number of files, most notably citizen empowerment, and have begun launching e-government, the smart transformation initiative, and launching the artificial intelligence strategy.

He added that the artificial intelligence strategy is implemented through eight goals that work on three basic pillars, which are implemented through three stages: building a strong foundation for artificial intelligence, adopting artificial intelligence activities and initiatives, and leading the sector globally, and each stage lasts from three to four years.

He said that the first phase was to attract and train talents for future jobs that artificial intelligence will enable, and a specialized training program run by the National Program for Artificial Intelligence in the UAE, in cooperation with the University of Oxford, adding that the program targets UAE government employees, private sector employees, and residents of the country, and aims to Empowering officials and helping them to know and acquire the necessary skills to contribute to the UAE’s journey towards achieving the goals of UAE Vision 2071.

In response to an intervention by the Chair of the Technology, Energy, Mineral Resources and Public Utilities Affairs Committee, Dr. Nidal Muhammad Al-Taniji, about the extent of the need for an integrated legislative system regulating artificial intelligence, he stressed the importance of accelerating the issuance of the executive regulations for the Personal Data Protection Law of 2021, pointing out that work has been done. With the Ministry of Justice on a comprehensive study and review of current laws related to electronic crimes.

The scholars said: “We are constantly working to ensure that the citizen has a large share in these investments, and we are working with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy to study and evaluate the possibility of providing tax incentives to companies specialized in artificial intelligence, which enhances the UAE’s competitiveness, at a time when the country attracts more than 45 % of risk capital in the field of the digital economy in the region, as it is an advanced country in this field, and we always aspire to increase this percentage.”

He added: “We are working to establish a fund to invest in qualifying and empowering citizen cadres in the field of artificial intelligence. There are legislations that have been put in place to protect citizens in various jobs.”

In response to the intervention of Hilal Muhammad Al Kaabi, a member of the committee, about the mechanisms established and approved by the government to ensure the safe use of artificial intelligence, the scholars said: “We are working in coordination with the Ministry of Justice to develop the necessary frameworks to activate a system to ensure that artificial intelligence is used ethically. We have seen that many countries are working to implement frameworks for using intelligence ethically by establishing evidence or platforms that a company or person can access to see if this use is ethical or unethical, and if the use is unethical and a crime is committed, there are legal considerations, and there are also penalties. Legal obligations to which the person or company working on this application is subject.

He also indicated in his response to the intervention of Council Member, Walid Ali Falah Al-Mansouri, about setting controls for companies that provide artificial intelligence services, in terms of the accuracy of information and what conflicts with our customs, traditions, and culture, that the state seeks to develop huge artificial intelligence systems, and there are international initiatives for investment. In the country, this contributes to making the country able to set some necessary requirements on companies compared to other countries, indicating the importance of budgeting in legislation in the case of global comparison.

He pointed out that the Ministry is working to develop six sectors to benefit from artificial intelligence, including energy, infrastructure, transportation, tourism, health, and cybersecurity. Recently, and during the coming period, there will be a doubling of efforts and a greater achievement, which is the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.

Regarding the status of artificial intelligence in dealing with curricula in education, he pointed out that work was done in 2017 to place artificial intelligence in curricula, but we saw that there is continuous development, and today we see that interest is in large linguistic systems, and there is a comprehensive review on the development of updated curricula in Use of artificial intelligence.

He said: “We are also working with the Education Council to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence in education, especially since there are global challenges facing this matter, and its application in education must be ready and must be known to the student and teacher, indicating that budgets exist and are allocated and there is guidance for work.” On a nationwide initiative to activate the use of artificial intelligence for various segments of society, we are currently working on monitoring the budget and submitting it to the Council of Ministers.

Regarding Dr. Sidra Rashid Al Mansouri’s question about the procedures for protecting children from offensive content, and about the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the educational process, Omar Sultan Al Olama answered: “We are working with the Digital and Communications Quality of Life Council to codify and establish regulation of this phenomenon, and we have worked with digital companies to reduce the phenomena.” Which promotes offensive content and on which platforms, and the results are positive, and there was cooperation with various of these parties.”

Regarding the qualification of citizens, he stressed that there are legislations that have been put in place to protect citizens in various jobs, and that these policies are in effect and applied in the artificial intelligence sector, pointing out that there are national competencies that we are proud of in this file, and they are young cadres, and we have worked on many programs, including a program with The National Reserve Service Authority in the Armed Forces, through training some graduates, some of whom obtained positions in national companies, and we worked to empower Emiratis and give them positions in major companies, and some of them obtained international positions, and we aspire to have Emiratis are leading the movement in this field.

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Employing people of determination

The Minister of Community Development, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, indicated “in a written response” to a question about people of determination, after completing studies in rehabilitation centers for people of determination, that the Ministry of Community Development had launched a platform for employing people of determination, which is based on coordination with various government agencies and others. To announce the vacancies available through the platform, to provide the opportunity for people of determination looking for work to register for it, to ensure that qualifications and skills are compatible with the available jobs, confirming that the Ministry was able, through that platform, to employ 359 people. Individuals, and following them up in work environments, especially at the beginning of the employment process, in order to ensure their job adaptation and professional stability.

She pointed out that the Ministry concluded memorandums of understanding in 2023 and 2024 with entities specialized in training and employing people of determination, where it trained 60 job seekers and employed 34 other people. The Ministry also worked, in cooperation with the UAE Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFES), to issue a package One of the guidelines for employing people of determination.

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A new unit to detect “autism”

The Minister of Community Development, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, confirmed “in a written response” to a question about developing and increasing government care centers for autistic children in the country, that the Ministry of Community Development is making great efforts to early detect children with disabilities and developmental delays, including those with autism in the early years. The Minister explained that the Ministry established in 2015 the Umm Al Quwain Autism Center, which currently provides its services to 114 children and their families in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain and Ajman. And Sharjah, in addition to the autism departments under the umbrella of the People of Determination Centers spread in Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Dibba Al Fujairah, which provide integrated services to 684 children diagnosed with autism, and 273 children under the age of six.

She added, “The Ministry is working on preparing developmental surveys for registered children on an ongoing basis, with the aim of early detection, in addition to comprehensive assessment and early intervention for cases of developmental delay, disabilities, and those at risk of disability,” noting that the Ministry has provided support and guidance to the families and families of children, to improve their quality of life and support their natural growth. To build a healthy and healthy generation, and the number of beneficiaries by the end of last October reached 150 children, with the participation of their parents and families.

She revealed that the Ministry, within its strategic plan in 2025, as part of its transformational early intervention project, will open a new early intervention unit in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain to serve the region and its neighboring regions, with the aim of early detection of children with autism, providing innovative services, and providing the necessary guidance and training programs for their families. And their families.