NEWS
DAFZA’s digital
intelligence plan
is approved
SAP CEO hails UAE as a
leader in artificial intelligence
for national development
Bill McDermott, SAP
CEO, said: “The UAE
is taking bold steps to
bring its digital dream
to life by creating the
world’s first Ministry
of State for AI”
S
heikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone
Authority (DAFZA), has approved the
organisation’s Digital Intelligence Plan
2018–2020.
This has been developed in line with digital
transformation initiatives such as the Dubai
Internet of Things Strategy and the UAE
Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, the first
major initiative within the UAE Centennial
2071 project.
The new plan was developed in partnership
with Deloitte Consulting LLC and is in line
with both DAFZA’s Strategic Plan 2017–
2021 and its innovation strategy.
Sheikh Ahmed emphasised the importance
of technological development and the
adoption of modern technologies in various
fields in supporting the transformation of
Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in
the world.
He pointed out the role of the institutions
in Dubai in achieving the leadership’s vision
for digital wealth as represented by the
Dubai Internet of Things Strategy and the
UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence which
was launched in October 2017 by Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and
Ruler of Dubai.
Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General
of DAFZA, said: “We are grateful to our
leadership for always inspiring us to succeed
and do our best. Through their support
and encouragement, we have always been
confident of our success and have surpassed
the goals we have set to move forward.”
8
INTELLIGENTCIO
S
AP CEO Bill McDermott has praised
the UAE’s efforts in using artificial
intelligence to transform the country’s
digital economy, fuel job growth and
accelerate innovation.
“The UAE is taking bold steps to bring
its digital dream to life by creating
the world’s first Ministry of State for
AI,” Bill McDermott said at the World
Government Summit being held in Dubai.
“This is an excellent model for
responsible planning across private and
public sectors. It will lay the foundation
for a robust digital economy for
generations to come.”
SAP supports the UAE’s digital
transformation, recently announcing a
5-year USD 200 million investment plan,
and launching a co-innovation lab in
its regional headquarters in Dubai. The
SAP Training and Development Institute
plans to build skills and knowledge in the
Middle East and North Africa worth USD
100 million by 2022.
“Machines can’t dream, only humans do
that,” said McDermott.
“With careful foresight, it is possible to
create an augmented human experience
through smart machines and people
working in harmony.”
SAP co-innovates with leading companies
in the UAE, such as Dubai Electricity and
Water Authority, Emirates NBD, wasl
Asset Management Group, and is the
Innovative Enterprise Software Partner for
Expo 2020 Dubai.
www.intelligentcio.com