The establishment of a chief executive for artificial intelligence across UAE federal entities highlights the level of preparation required for its talent pool to achieve long-term benefits and position the country as a technology leader, experts have said.
This new role is expected to mirror the past success of positions such as chief data officer, which was able to align organisations globally on data creation and capture, its quality, and insight generation.
But while unlocking the transformative power of AI will likely require the same, if not more, focus on those areas, boosting the talent pool to achieve success will be key, they said.
“Fully integrating AI into an organisation is undeniably a major challenge. It requires a complete transformation of how employees work, interact with each other and clients and utilise appropriate infrastructure and tools,” Jad Haddad, head of digital for India, the Middle East and Africa at consultancy Oliver Wyman, told The National.
“Most importantly, it necessitates a shift in employee mindsets and behaviours. Any such transformation requires a significant amount of change management to ensure employee buy-in alongside a radical shift in processes, tools and infrastructure.”
In addition to the technicalities, understanding the ethical, safety aspects and regulation around AI are major targets to have in mind, Hakim Hacid, executive director and acting chief researcher of the AI Cross-Centre Unit at Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute, told The National.
“Many can imagine the value that AI could bring to different sectors and can foresee the impact. However, the skills are not there yet. Different models of skilling up the workforce should be considered, taking into account the level and the domain of employees,” he said.
The establishment of a chief executive for AI in all major federal entities was approved during a UAE Cabinet meeting on May 15, where the new 10-year Blue Residency visa, aimed at people who make “exceptional contributions” towards protecting the environment, was introduced.
The AI chief executive move is hoped to help speed up the adoption of advanced technologies in all levels of government and, equally important, also expected to complement the initiatives the UAE has implemented and investments that have been attracted.
“Having C-suite leadership specifically focused on AI is essential given the pace, scale and velocity of the changes we are going through,” Nancy Gleason, an associate professor and director of the Hilary Ballon Centre for Teaching and Learning at New York University Abu Dhabi, told The National.
In 2017, the Emirates unveiled its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, mapping out “rigorous dedication and clear steps” to harness the technology, centred on eight pillars, one of which is to attract and train talent for future jobs enabled by AI.
AI is among the top 10 skill shortages listed by employers in the UAE, according to the Cooper Fitch 2024 UAE Salary Guide.
With AI on course to contribute approximately $96 billion to the UAE’s economy by the end of the decade, qualified and experienced technology candidates are likely to remain in high demand among large tech companies and government entities alike, the recruitment consultancy said.
Meanwhile, the first batch of students to enrol at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence graduated in January 2023. They have degrees in computer vision and machine learning, both key for AI.
Preparing individuals at all levels to take on AI-centric roles is therefore key to a streamlined integration of the technology into organisations; talent is critical, given that AI is “highly technical and necessitates a deep understanding of highly complex processes and technologies”, Mr Hacid said.
“Training and upscaling of every single employee is necessary. It’s true that the pace of changes is intense, but learning about the tools is not necessarily about long-term deployment of their use – it is more about the learning process of adapting to constant technological disruption,” Ms Gleason added.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
UAE and Russia in numbers
UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018
More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE
Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE
The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
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