UAE nationals including government officials, employees and students will soon get the opportunity to receive specialised training on artificial intelligence at the Oxford University.
The MoU was signed by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Roger L. Michel, founder and executive director of the Oxford Centre for Future Design at Oxford University.
The objective partnership is to build up the AI capacities of Emiratis – grooming national cadres, including Emirati employees, government leaders and students pursuing higher studies.
According to Al Olama, the memorandum represents a steppingstone for developing the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in October 2017 as the first UAE Centennial 2071 initiative to ensure artificial intelligence will be an integral part of government work across all platforms.
For his part, Michel said the support lent by Sheikh Al Maktoum and the government of the UAE has enabled the Centre to expand the Innovation programme which is aimed at providing a smarter and more efficient way of life for all concerned.
Last year, Sheikh Al Maktoum, has announced the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence – a major initiative within the UAE Centennial 2071 objectives.
The strategy is set to ensure best utilisation of all resources and invest in all available potential in creative manners that accelerate the execution of developmental projects.
The UAE seeks to be a major hub for developing AI techniques and legislation, said Sheikh Al Maktoum, adding that “our 2071 Strategy is founded on a set of fundamentals, primarily artificial intelligence across all our government and private sectors.”
The coming period “requires qualified Emirati cadres, well-versed with artificial intelligence to meet our supreme national interests,” the UAE Prime Minister said, affirming that AI applications will generate revenues and provide fresh opportunities for the national economy.
The three-year agreement stipulates the implementation of three training programmes in cooperation with the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Oxford University through a series of specialised AI-oriented workshops.
