The UAE is one of the first countries to adopt an artificial intelligence strategy

Within the annual conference of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which was held from January 20 to 24, global leaders in business, philanthropy, and policy gathered to participate in a high-level session entitled “Artificial Intelligence and the Social Sector: Ensuring the Continuity of the Impact of Smart Innovations,” moderated by the Center Development Affairs in the UAE Presidential Office with Badr Jaafar, Special Envoy for Business and Charitable Affairs in the UAE. Speakers discussed the potential of AI to improve the efforts of philanthropic initiatives and the broader social sector to address global challenges, and highlighted the notable variation in the development of AI and its applications from one geographic region to another.
More than 75 influential leaders participated in the panel discussion, including John Kerry, the 68th Secretary of State of the United States of America; Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade in the UAE, Hoda Al Hashemi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs in the UAE, and Mansour Al Mansouri, Head of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Professor Megeri Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government; David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee; Angela Williams, President and CEO of United We Worldwide; Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF; Cherie Blair, CBE, KC, Co-Founder and Head of Umniah Strategy; friendship. Wladimir Klitschko, founder of Klitschko; Hanaa Al Rostamani, CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank Group; Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General and CEO of the International Red Cross Societies; François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and Director of Foundations; and Oliver Schwab, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.
Badr Jaafar gave an opening speech in which he pointed to the enormous ability of artificial intelligence to bring about radical changes, stressing the need to ensure that the benefits of these innovations are spread fairly to all groups, societies and individuals. “The AI ​​revolution, like the industrial revolution before it, will create two classes: either winners or losers,” he said. “Today, the majority of AI investments, 90%, flow to the Global North, although many social innovators are in the Global South – where 85% of The world’s population suffers from a scarcity of resources and sources of support. These are gaping gaps that we must solve, and the most appropriate way to do this is to follow a comprehensive approach that involves all sectors, including governments and leaders. Philanthropists and business leaders around the world.
The discussion looked at the ways in which artificial intelligence is changing people’s lives. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, the “Enayati” platform was created, which uses artificial intelligence to predict health crises and take the necessary measures to prevent them. Despite the huge investments being made in artificial intelligence globally, which have reached $540 billion since 2016 globally, social initiatives have received only 0.5% or even less of these investments.
Commenting on these challenges, Badr Jaafar stressed the need for a collective response, saying: “The UAE presents a successful model, not necessarily as an example of application, but rather as a partner in progress. The UAE was one of the first countries to adopt a strategy dedicated to artificial intelligence, enabling it to employ these innovations to advance economically and socially.” “Investing in talent, research, infrastructure, and global partnerships are critical to providing social innovators everywhere with the tools, knowledge, and data they need to create sustainable change.”
The session also explored the ability of artificial intelligence to achieve amazing social results, focusing on effective and flexible solutions in health, education and sustainability. She also stressed the leadership role of charitable and social organizations in driving developments in the field of artificial intelligence and ensuring its comprehensiveness and fair application. She highlighted the importance of multi-sector partnerships to accelerate AI solutions that serve communities.
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos provides a vital platform for the cooperation of prominent leaders and actors in finding solutions to global challenges. The strong presence of the topic of artificial intelligence in this year’s discussions demonstrated the Forum’s commitment to shaping a future in which technology is harnessed to serve humanity and achieve justice.