Action plans for digital economy, AI, remote work applications approved
SECTOR HAS PROVEN SIGNIFICANCE, MOHAMMAD SAYS
The future will bring about many changes in the UAE’s health, education and trade sectors and the nation must be ready, authorities said yesterday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday approved action plans for the UAE government in the artificial intelligence, digital economy and remote work applications sector.
During the meeting, Shaikh Mohammad emphasised that the contribution of the digital economy amounted to 4.3 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2019, something which prompted the government to appoint a full-time minister to concentrate on this sector and double its contribution.
“The digital economy has proven its efficiency and significance in the world, especially during the ongoing global health crisis,” Shaikh Mohammad said, adding the digital economy does not require facilities or enormous material resources, but “rather it only needs minds, ideas and imaginations”.
“The future will bring about many changes in the health, education and trade sector and we must be ready and prepare for such changes from today”, the Vice-President noted.
Tapping opportunities
Speaking on the government’s priorities for the future, Shaikh Mohammad said: “Our priorities are to boost the contribution of the digital economy to our national economy, promote the smart infrastructure in the country, enhance digital readiness, and ensure business continuity in the UAE government under any circumstances”.
During the meeting, Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, briefed Shaikh Mohammad on a comprehensive action plan that focuses on tapping future opportunities and providing tools and infrastructure to support the UAE’s leadership in anticipating and preparing for global changes.
He said plans for the digital economy will focus on developing financial cooperation, the employment sector and the data and information economy, among other areas.
The meeting was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and other senior government officials.