An Emirati Eye: Aida Al Busaidy On Why We Should Welcome Artificial Intelligence with Open Arms
The communications strategist and storyteller shares her optimistic outlook, encouraging us all to embrace technological advancements
One day, robots will take over and we will all be jobless!
Such is the regular refrain we now hear so frequently, anyway. Most people fear what they don’t know, but we do know Artificial Intelligence (AI). After all, we created it. In fact, every movie, book or notion about the future of technology, AI and the basic binary code was created by humans. To fear it means we fear ourselves and what we are capable of. The truth is, we’ve always had AI, but it’s only lately that we’ve begun truly harnessing its power and tapping into what more it can do.
Every day, I am in awe of our government and the early strides we’ve taken to be the future. Being an early AI adopter and innovator, the UAE’s AI sector is among the world’s most advanced. The UAE appointed the world’s first AI minister in 2017, created the first dedicated AI research university in 2020, and launched Falcon, a top-rated open-source large language model in 2023.
In a recent article citing a study by Cooper Fitch 2024 salary guide, artificial intelligence, software development and data science are among the top 10 skill shortages listed by employers in the UAE, and the vast investment of the UAE underscores AI’s potential to reshape industries and fuel economic expansion.
In the history of mankind, we have never been so fast in our exponential growth for learning and development than in this space. In a new arena, there will always be pros and cons, but let’s put a few things into perspective.
The Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, and the Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai approved the appointment of 22 Chief AI officers across Government entities (in Dubai) as part of a forward-looking vision that aims at using AI to enhance government operations.
This seems very high level, but instead of focusing on what people can’t see, let’s look at the good of the Metaverse and AI not only for us, but for our kids and theirs.
From intelligent networking and better decision making, all the way to infrastructure to help humans access their health data and live a healthier lifestyle, it also stores the right type of data to help other humans in a faster way.
If we move to our kids, AI not only helps them to learn more and faster, but can also open up new and different or enhanced job opportunities. Plus, side-by-side learning helps with building creativity. AI can help improve access to education, healthcare and clean water as well as aid in the fight against climate change, poverty and hunger.
We won’t know, though, if we fear it and don’t allow for room to embrace it. As the UAE moves into this space steadfastly, being the incubator of AI will allow us to transfer knowledge and export talent to the rest of the world. If you ask me, I’ll take it anyway so long as I can I eliminate any daily mundane tasks and get a bit of extra sleep.
Photographer: Efraim Evidor. Stylist: Imogene Legrand. Make-up & Hair: Arina Zubakhina. Stylist’s Assistant: Janhvi Kohli. Aida wears : Abaya, Dhs2,110, Sekka38. Jewellery, Aida’s own. Special thanks to The St. Regis Downtown Dubai.
From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s September 2024 Issue.