TRA Hosts 1st ICT Future Foresight Forum In UAE

The First ICT Future Foresight Forum, a major ICT event in the UAE, has been launched today under the patronage of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA. The Forum aims to address future challenges of the ICT sector, as well as possible solutions in this regard.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director-General, delivered the opening speech, highlighting the importance of future foresight using modern tools of innovation and analysis, for the aim of safe sailing in tomorrow’s world, as well as anticipating developments and preparing for the future.

Al Mansoori said, “We stand together at the threshold of a new era, foresee the future with sharp eyes, monitor the profound changes in methods, systems and tools, and draw lessons from the present in order to live with the changes that will reflect on human nature and their interaction with many concepts of life.”

He added, “The UAE Government seeks to achieve a real shift in national economy and increase the proportion of knowledge workers to 40 percent. The Government also allocated a budget of AED300 billion for the national scientific and technical plans and policies launched through the higher policy of innovation, science and technology. All this comes in the context of building “the human of the future” through the development of smart and enhanced learning experience that would improve the output of the education sector and focus on advanced technology and science, including the bioengineering, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.”

This Forum comes at a critical stage in the development journey of the UAE, as the work is being done in various sectors to transition towards a new era characterized by sustainability, happiness, and reliance on digital technology and advanced science. This comes in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to work towards building a developmental framework for the country within the UAE Centennial 2071.

The Forum reviewed the transition of the eGovernment to the Artificial Intelligence Government, and the national objectives in this regards, as the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence aims to achieve 100 per cent reliance on Artificial Intelligence in services and data analysis by 2031. The Strategy also aims to provide 100 per cent of the front line services to the public through Artificial Intelligence by 2031. It also aims to integrate Artificial Intelligence in the medical services in the country by 2031.

Moreover, the Forum agenda included several ICT topics, such as the regulatory framework for 2030, the technology trends in the GCC, and future prediction. The Forum concluded with a discussion session.