In June 2024, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, appointed 22 Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers (CAIOs) across various government entities in Dubai, who will spearhead specialized plans and programs in the field of AI and advanced technology.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

“We have approved the appointment of 22 Chief AI Officers across government entities in Dubai as part of a forward-looking vision aimed at leveraging AI to enhance government operations. This initiative will enhance Dubai’s progress and expertise in this sector and consolidate its position as a leader in creating innovative solutions built on advanced technology,” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said.

“The accelerated adoption of AI, alongside the development of its tools and applications, represents a cornerstone of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, aimed at positioning Dubai as a global hub for the development and deployment of AI solutions.”

The Chief AI Officer position was established under the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI), designed to enrich the quality of life and well-being of residents. Additionally, it supports Dubai’s endeavour to become the most future-ready city, consolidating its leadership as a global hub for technology and innovation.

A Chief AI Officer (CAIO) plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing an organization’s AI strategy. They evaluate the organization’s AI capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and develop a plan for achieving AI maturity. The CAIO is responsible for leading change management efforts, which include providing training and workshops to cultivate a culture of innovation. They ensure the strategic integration of AI into various workflows and processes and stay abreast of the latest technological advancements to maintain a competitive edge.

Moreover, the CAIO addresses the risks associated with AI, such as ethical considerations and compliance with data protection regulations. They also facilitate collaboration across departments to ensure AI initiatives support the organization’s overall objectives.

Digital Economy Advocate Bashar Kilani, Founder, AI360 Innovations (UAE, left)

By deploying AI-driven solutions, CAIOs help optimize processes, reduce expenses, and improve the quality of public services.

For instance, AI can be leveraged to analyze extensive datasets, enhance decision-making, forecast trends, and automate routine tasks, allowing human resources to focus on more strategic activities.

Today July 2, 2024 I spoke with Digital Economy Advocate Bashar Kilani, Founder, AI360 Innovations in the UAE and a former Accenture and IBM executive, to discuss these appointments and more.

Bashar mentioned that the naming of 22 government CAIOs is the most recent example of how the region has been a pioneer in AI.

For example:

• In 2017, the UAE appointed the world’s first Minister for AI in government. Omar Sultan Al Olama is Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications in the United Arab Emirates. He was appointed by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
• In 2019, they founded the world’s first university dedicated to the study and advancement of artificial intelligence, The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• In April 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi’s G42 to accelerate AI development and global expansion. According to Microsoft, “This strategic investment will enhance the UAE’s position as a global AI hub and provide further opportunities for partners and customers to innovate and grow. G42 and Microsoft will collaborate to ensure the benefits of secure AI technologies and cloud capabilities are responsibly shared with growing economies globally. Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President Brad Smith will take a seat on the G42 Board. Both companies will support the establishment of a $1B fund for developers.”
• In May 2024, they announced the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI), which is designed to accelerate the adoption of AI. “A key goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) is to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the next decade and to consolidate its position among the top three global cities. It seeks to achieve the targets of  by contributing AED 100 billion annually to Dubai’s economy, increasing its productivity by 50 per cent through the implementation of innovative digital solutions, and includes over 100 transformational projects. The Gulf nation estimates that by 2030, AI will have a global market value of $15.7 trillion, boosting the UAE’s GDP by 35 percent and reducing government costs by 50 percent.”
• In June 2024, they anounced the appointment of 22 Chief AI Officers in critical government positions (see list below).

According to Bashar, core pillars of the DUB.AI blueprint include:

1. Infrastructure: cloud, cybersecurity, compute capabilities, etc. Bashar feels that the UAE may have one of the best digital infrastructures in the world.
2. Legal: A framework of laws around the digital economy which makes it an attractive place for new businesses and startups.
3. Talent: Building universities and campuses, and providing “golden” and “digital nomad” visas to attract world-class talent.
4. Ecosystem: Building the ecosystem for startups and large companies alike, including a vibrant VC community with the stated goal of having at least 10 unicorns in Dubai between now and 2030.

Bashar concluded by stating that “The best examples of how organizations are embracing AI will come from this part of the world.”

The newly appointed Chief AI Officers represent several government entities across Dubai including:

• Community Development Authority in Dubai
• Dubai Government Human Resources Department
• Dubai Customs
• Dubai Police
• The Judicial Council
• Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
• Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment
• Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
• Digital Dubai Authority
• General Directorate of Civil Defense in Dubai
• Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment
• Dubai Health Authority
• Public Prosecution
• Protocol Department in Dubai
• Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority
• Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
• Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
• Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism
• Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services
• Department of Finance in Dubai
• Endowments and Minors’ Trust Foundation (Awqaf Dubai)
• Dubai Municipality

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +

BONUS AUDIO/VIDEO! LISTEN/WATCH “THE ROLE OF CHIEF AI OFFICERS IN DRIVING GROWTH“

Join Kashi KS, the Chief AI Officer at Alfahive in this interview with David Mathison, CEO of the CDO Club and CDAO/CAIO Summits, as Mathison shares his 5-year journey of building the world’s  first and largest community of Chief AI Officers. They discuss the growing demand for innovation, transformation (both digital and exponential), and how CAIOs are using AI to improve productivity and enhance ROI.

Listen on Amazon Prime, Spotify, Apple: https://www.alfahive.com/podcast/role-of-chief-ai-officers-in-driving-growth

Watch below or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN2KrE8OTV8