With a career spanning seven years at the foundation, he has overseen the establishment of accelerators, the launch of academy research efforts, and the creation of a robotics lab. His work encompasses many projects preparing Dubai for a future of technological advancements and innovation.
In this discussion, Abdulaziz AlJaziri shares his perspectives on the foundation’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into different facets of society, including art, literature, and coding. He delves into the importance of making AI accessible to everyone and highlights the significant role of the Global Prompt Engineering Challenge in achieving this goal. Furthermore, AlJaziri addresses the concerns surrounding job displacement due to AI and outlines the foundation’s strategies for reskilling and upskilling the workforce.
Tell us about the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) ‘s work to advance technology and AI.
During my tenure, we have made significant strides in various areas. We established accelerators, launched academy research efforts, and set up a robotics lab. These initiatives are part of our broader strategy to drive innovation and technological advancements in Dubai.
We have undertaken numerous projects, from developing an R&D strategy for Dubai to formulating a comprehensive gaming strategy for the city. Our work spans multiple domains and aims to prepare Dubai for the future. We focus on the future of society, economies, and government, ensuring that Dubai remains at the forefront of global innovation.
Today, we are here at the ‘Global Prompt Engineering Challenge’. The Make in Emirates event and initiative is a significant part of our efforts to establish Dubai as a centre for artificial intelligence. The challenge aims to explore how the government can help society leverage prompt engineering and AI in the best possible way.
We are particularly interested in how generative AI can be integrated into art, literature, and coding. These fields have vast potential, and we believe that by promoting prompt engineering, we can enhance their development and usage.
Coding skills will continue to be essential in the future. However, we also foresee a growing demand for prompt engineering skills across various sectors, including society, industry, and education. This challenge is an excellent opportunity to teach and show people the potential of AI, build excitement around it, and encourage skill development in this area.
Interestingly, you’ve included art and literature in your initiatives. Why did the DFF focus on these areas?
This is a question we often get. The cultural industry is incredibly important for Dubai and globally. While many people are familiar with coding, it is not as widely understood by the general public. We can connect with a broader audience by focusing on art and literature. More people write and create visuals than code. Coding is vital, but we wanted to introduce prompt engineering as a tool and skill set for everyone, not just coders or engineers. It’s a skill that anyone can use.
We aim to make AI and prompt engineering accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Art and literature are universal languages that resonate with people across different cultures and demographics. By integrating AI into these fields, we can demonstrate its potential in a relatable and engaging way for a wider audience.
Moreover, art and literature are powerful mediums for expression and creativity. They can significantly benefit from the capabilities of generative AI. For example, AI can help artists and writers enhance their work, explore new creative possibilities, and reach new heights in their craft. By promoting the use of AI in these fields, we are advancing technology and enriching our cultural landscape.
Can you talk briefly about the Making Emirates initiative and explore it further?
The Making Emirates initiative is one of our key projects at the Dubai Future Foundation. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, we launched the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence. This centre aims to establish Dubai as a global AI development and innovation hub.
We developed the Dubai AI plan, which outlines our strategy for integrating AI into various sectors. The plan focuses on several key areas: government services, industry, education, and society. We aim to make Dubai a leader in AI by leveraging the latest technologies and fostering a vibrant AI ecosystem.
One of our major initiatives is the establishment of Chief AI Officers in every government entity. These officers are responsible for ensuring that their teams are well-versed in AI and capable of deploying AI technologies effectively. We believe that the government will be a significant user of AI, and it is essential to have knowledgeable and skilled personnel to manage these technologies.
His Highness recently launched the Dubai Campus at the Dubai International Financial Centre. This campus is dedicated to AI startups and aims to create a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
We have also developed an AI accelerator programme, which brings companies to work on government services and challenges. The program has already been successful, with several use cases being developed and implemented.
Overall, the Making Emirates initiative is about building a robust AI ecosystem in Dubai. We want to showcase AI’s potential, encourage investment in AI-driven solutions, and create opportunities for innovation and growth.
How do you see the Global Prompt Engineering Challenge evolving in the future?
Moving forward, we want to integrate this skill set across all facets of society. We aim to involve schools, universities, governments, academia, and the private sector in using generative AI and prompt engineering.
I encourage my team to use these technologies because the more we learn, the faster we can create content, making our work more efficient and timely. We’ve seen how technology has developed and improved over time, and we want to leverage it to serve our people best.
The Global Prompt Engineering Challenge is just the beginning. We envision it growing into a significant platform for innovation and skill development. We can create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports AI and prompt engineering by involving different sectors and stakeholders.
We plan to expand the challenge to include more categories and areas of focus. For example, we could explore the use of AI in healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability. These fields have immense potential for AI-driven solutions, and by encouraging innovation in these areas, we can make a significant impact.
We also aim to increase participation and engagement by collaborating with international partners and organizations. By fostering a global network of AI enthusiasts, we can share knowledge, resources, and best practices, driving the development and adoption of AI technologies worldwide.
There is much concern about job displacement due to AI. How does the Dubai Future Foundation address these concerns?
It’s a valid concern, but history shows that every new technology creates new jobs and skill sets. We believe the same will happen with AI. While some jobs may be displaced, new roles like prompt engineers will emerge.
We are already seeing AI teams expanding in government and new people being introduced to this technology. It’s crucial to embrace technological advancements to stay competitive. We must protect and build reskilling programs to help people transition into new roles and ensure everyone can find meaningful employment.
Our approach to addressing job displacement involves several key strategies. First, we focus on reskilling and upskilling programs to equip people with the skills they need to succeed in the AI-driven economy. We work with educational institutions, training providers, and industry partners to develop comprehensive training programs that cover a wide range of AI-related skills.
Second, we promote the creation of new job opportunities by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. We can create a vibrant ecosystem that generates new jobs and economic opportunities by supporting startups and encouraging investment in AI-driven solutions.
Third, we emphasise the importance of lifelong learning. In today’s rapidly changing world, individuals must continuously update their skills and knowledge. We encourage people to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and provide resources and support to help them stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI and other emerging technologies.
Lastly, we advocate for policies and initiatives that promote inclusive growth and ensure that AI’s benefits are shared broadly across society. We aim to create an environment that supports equitable access to AI technologies and opportunities by working closely with policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders.
