Not all AI is human-like, but some companies like Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong, are building products for a more robot-powered future. AFP
Not all AI is human-like, but some companies like Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong, are building products for a more robot-powered future. AFP
Not all AI is human-like, but some companies like Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong, are building products for a more robot-powered future. AFP
Not all AI is human-like, but some companies like Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong, are building products for a more robot-powered future. AFP

Nearly 75% of UAE organisations have maintained or raised investment in AI programmes


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Almost three in four UAE companies and organisations have either maintained or increased their investment in artificial intelligence initiatives in recent months, amid the rapid adoption of the technology in the country.

The UAE ranks higher (74 per cent) when compared with the 69 per cent in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, technology company Dataiku found in its latest research report.

Up to 98 per cent of UAE businesses consider AI to be a “major enabler” when it comes to being more resilient amid current economic conditions, compared to 95 per cent in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, the report said.

The research by New York-based Dataiku — which surveyed IT decision makers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region — also revealed that 68 per cent of UAE organisations are investing up to half of their technology budgets in AI.

“Enterprises here [in the UAE] have a strong grounding … as they are prioritising competitive advantage and improved customer experience,” said Sid Bhatia, regional vice president and general manager for the Middle East and Turkey at Dataiku.

“We have seen that by concentrating on the fundamentals, we naturally curve towards an AI future in which revenues are boosted and costs are reduced.”

AI is projected to make a significant impact in the Middle East and North Africa region's technology ecosystem, as rapid advancements in the sector drive adoption across industries, a study by Magnitt found this month.

The UAE is also projected to reap the biggest impact from AI, pegged at close to 14 per cent of its gross domestic product by 2030, Magnitt said.

The country has been among the front runners in terms of AI adoption.

In 2017, the government rolled out an AI strategy, UAE 2031, outlining plans to use the technology to make governance more efficient and naming eight sectors it aims to transform, including space, renewable energy, water and education.

The top three business goals that UAE organisations are looking to achieve through AI are innovation (64 per cent), competitive advantage (56 per cent) and improved customer experience (54 per cent), Dataiku said.

Up to 92 per cent of respondents in the country said they were using low-code or no-code development platforms to make AI more accessible to business users and help automate and improve daily decision-making processes.

“To truly harness the value of AI and achieve business goals, we cannot leave progress solely in the hands of data scientists and backroom technologists. We need to fully democratise AI,” Mr Bhatia said.

“The wide availability of platforms like ChatGPT and Bard serves as a great example of what that can look like.”

Launched in December, San Francisco-based research company OpenAI’s ChatGPT provides humanlike responses to prompts in seconds, based on information publicly available on the internet.

Meanwhile, Google launched its generative AI platform, Bard, in February.

In the same month, Microsoft announced its new AI-powered Bing search engine that aims to deliver better searches, more complete answers, a new chat experience and the ability to generate fresh content.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

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Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:

  • Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
  • Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
  • Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

War and the virus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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While you're here
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Power: 905hp

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UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

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Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

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Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)

Saturday

Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)

Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)

Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)

Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)

Sunday

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)

SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: May 16, 2023, 12:52 PM`