‘NATIoNS MoRE vulNERAblE To ATTAckS IN dIGITISEd woRld’

ABU DHABI — All nations need to develop their own Artificial Intelligence (AI) in security and defence systems so as to become smart, safe and cyber resilient and reduce threats from hackers,” said Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.

“Of all technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI has garnered the most attention for it potential in the future of military, security and intelligence-related capabilities,” said Al Olama.

The minister made the remarks during his keynote address entitled, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Innovation’, at the International Defence Conference (IDC) in Abu Dhabi.

He noted that current digitisation of almost everything including security and government services has created increased vulnerability to cyber attacks.

“The more we become digitalised, the more we are vulnerable to hackers,” said Al Olama. “It is very easy today for a nation to be attacked through hacking into its defence system, unlike before when it required physical invasion. This is why governments invest billions of dollars in protecting its cyber security from hackers.

“It is important for nations to become AI exporters through

It is very easy today for a nation to be attacked through hacking into its defence system, unlike before when it required physical invasion.”

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence

innovations so as to reduce the risks of cyber attacks from imported technologies by hackers.”

According to the minister, cyber attacks today affect more than three billion people worldwide. “If the hacking trend deepens, a third world war may be inevitable.”

The minister also highlighted various applications of AI in people’s daily lives, in addition to a number of projects being developed by the world leaders in the field such as self-driving cars, advanced robots, space programmes, mobile phone assistants and cashier-free supermarkets.