Ahead of tomorrow
On the cusp of a transformative shift, primarily driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), economies and businesses worldwide are faced with the choice to either embrace this wave of technological disruption or risk falling behind. The AI industry is projected to inject an astonishing $15.7 trillion (Dhs57.6 trillion) by 2030 into the global economy. The UAE steers the direction of this technological revolution—a feat made possible through the foresight of its visionary leadership.
Six years ago, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum foresaw the transformative power of AI, stating on the social media platform Twitter (now X), “Artificial Intelligence is the next major revolution of our times.” This has turned into a strong vision for the country “to be one of the most advanced countries in this regard”—a goal it has pursued with remarkable commitment. Today, the UAE is reaping its first-mover advantage in early AI adoption, as this technology becomes a fundamental asset in enhancing public safety, notably through advanced police technologies that secure its cities.
Beyond security, AI has been extensively integrated across all sectors of the UAE economy, with the healthcare industry emerging as a key area of innovation. In this issue,
999 explores the transformative impact of Ai-powered innovations on patient care and health risk assessment. We spotlight groundbreaking technologies, from blood-drawing robots to hospital delivery systems and cutting-edge diagnostic equipment—all unveiled at the recently concluded Arab Health 2024.
While AI significantly enhances human productivity, efficiency, and economic growth by transforming industries and opening new markets, it also raises concerns given its wrongful use by cybercriminals, but the UAE isn’t sitting idly by. Our cover story explores the online dangers that particularly threaten SMES, which find it challenging to defend themselves against sophisticated cyberattacks due to limited resources. The breakneck speed at which cybercrimes evolve, i.e. the proliferation of Deepfakes, underscores the need for constant vigilance against potential misuses of AI while capitalising on its advancements.
Despite 61 per cent of UAE consumers feeling informed about online scams, 90 per cent often ignore fraud warnings, a study from December 2023 shows. Our feature story on this zeroes in on new types of scams that exploit UAE residents’ digital presence through identity theft, fraudulent bank calls, and fake travel offers.
The ease of making connections through the Internet, while promising, often blinds individuals to the dangers of engaging with criminals. Many seeking employment online find themselves trapped in situations of abuse, forced marriages, or labour exploitation. Our feature on human trafficking highlights the UAE authorities’ cooperation with global law enforcement agencies to dismantle the criminal network of human traffickers.
The United Nations reports that human traffickers mostly target women and girls—with five out of every 10 identified victims being adult women, and two being girls. The persistence of traditional gender roles, which foster unequal opportunities, perpetuates this issue. These norms also contribute to the “motherhood penalty”, where women put their careers on hold due to childcare and unequal domestic responsibilities. On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March, 999 highlights how the UAE is pioneering efforts to reframe motherhood from a burden to a celebrated aspect of life.
With the arrival of Ramadan, we invite you to reflect on the environmental footprint of your habits and lifestyles. Our Tips & Trivia section offers six ways to adopt sustainable and eco-conscious habits during the holy month.
Ramadan Mubarak, everyone!
Beyond security, AI has been extensively integrated across all sectors of the UAE economy, with the healthcare sector emerging as a key area of innovation