Strategists discuss defence innovations
abu dhabi — The UAE is adopting new technologies and effectively applying them in all fields including defence and security as the country looks forward to sustainable development, said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.
He made his statement at the twoday International Defence Conference (IDC) 2019 which started in Abu Dhabi on Thursday under the theme of ‘Shaping Our Shared Future: Strengthening Our Security and Prosperity through Innovation’.
The global forum is examining the latest developments in the defence, security and offset sectors as well as the impact the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) may have on these domains, particularly in terms of innovation, manufacturing and human capital development.
“The technologies associated with 4IR will transform most aspects in our lives, creating new markets and game-changing capabilities and efficiencies,” said Al Mansouri.
“The UAE wants to become an innovation hub and it has relentlessly invested in its human resources, infrastructure, space and artificial intelligence to foster security and promote economic development.”
Over 1,600 global defence specialists, including defence and senior government officials, highranking military officers, eminent academics and leaders of renowned defence companies from across the world, is attending the conference to discuss the latest developments in defence and how innovation and new technologies are shaping the future security globally.
The minister noted that the UAE is looking forward to seeing the conference outcomes in drawingup strategies to contribute to comprehensive development drive, enable defence and security industries, promote constructive partnerships, facilitate technology transfer and to build capabilities. This year’s conference is serving as a precursor to the 2019 edition of Idex/Navdex that will be held at Adnec from February 17 to 21.
AI shaping the future
Speaking about the future world in light of 4IR, Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist at Futurist City College of New York, USA, said artificial intelligence (AI) will change everything in the future.
“In the future, computer and Internet charges will just cost a penny. The Internet will be people’s contact lenses, where information in everything is available everywhere,” said Kaku.
“There is need for professors and educationists to revolutionise teaching, by making students do away with memorisation and adopt methods that can make them learn critical thinking and creative skills.”
According to Kaku, today the society is being digitalised at a very fast rate and in the future, what robots can’t do will determine the job market. “Everything has now gone
digital. Human to human jobs, innovators, creative and planning personnel, policemen, lawyers, teachers, etc, are areas that won’t be digitised,” he said.
“Intellectual capital including innovation, creativity and leadership will dominate business development activities.”
Professor Ron Mathews, professor of defence economics at the UK Defence Academy, said: “It’s just being sightful for nations to promote not just the creativity and innovation in the 4IR, but to use the skills achieved to develop long term security and sustainability growth.”
The defence and security experts at the conference also discussed the most pressing challenges and opportunities that currently threaten a shared future of stability, security and prosperity in a world that is struggling with several transformative and destabilising transitions.
The UAE has been keen on adopting new technologies and has effectively applied them in all fields including defence and security.” Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy