Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is spearheading efforts to elevate Dubai's status as a global technology and innovation hub. This is evident through the introduction of the recently unveiled Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, which translates his vision and directives into actionable strategies for enhancing the city's leadership in this field.
A recent study has revealed a significant uptake in the adoption of AI technologies within cybersecurity strategies among UAE organizations. Specifically, 91% of surveyed companies are incorporating AI into their security measures, particularly in areas such as threat detection, response, and recovery.
Over the last five years, Saudi Arabia's fintech sector has seen impressive growth. Significant milestones include an increase in fintech companies from 89 in 2022 to over 200 by the close of 2023, along with substantial investments totaling more than SAR 4 billion from various local, regional, and global investors into fintech startups. This progress is supported by key initiatives like Fintech Saudi and the Fintech Regulatory Sandbox, along with substantial funding provided by entities such as the Saudi Venture Capital Company.
The UAE and Oman announced multiple agreements on various sectors, including digital infrastructure and technology between the two countries, in the presence of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, who was in UAE for a state visit.
Leading the charge in innovation, Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil production entity, is embracing state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), not only within its core operations but also in broader applications, positioning the company at the forefront of progress.
In the era of technological advancement, the advent of self-driving cars represents a paradigm shift in the automotive landscape. The promise of autonomous vehicles, navigating our roads with precision and efficiency, has captivated imaginations and fueled discussions about the future of transportation.
As we embrace the annual International Girls in ICT Day celebration, ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, emphasized that “Our future is digital and we need women to lead it.”
Public transportation is a critical component for driving the modern economy machinery. Millions of people depend on these systems to commute to and from their workplaces every day. In 2023, the daily footfalls in the Dubai metro were pegged at 684,000. The number of commuters will increase as the population swells globally. Hence, a smooth and efficient operation of these systems must be maintained at all costs.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has unveiled an extensive strategy to spearhead research and studies concerning the advancement of ‘International Mobile Telecommunications’ (IMT-2030) technology, also called the sixth generation of mobile networks (6G).
Recognizing the pivotal role of ICT and telecom in shaping the future, nations across the globe have embarked on visionary journeys, aiming to harness the power of digital technologies to propel their development agendas forward. These visions, often encapsulated in comprehensive strategies and roadmaps, serve as guiding beacons, steering countries through the complexities of the digital age.
