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Abu Dhabi sets up council to regulate AI

By Divsha Bhat
Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the launch of AI71, the company developing the large language AI model Falcon Wam
Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the launch of AI71, the company developing the large language AI model Falcon
  • AIATC to develop policies
  • Emirate builds tech strategy
  • Collaborative approach

Abu Dhabi has established a new artificial intelligence council as part of efforts to regulate the technology and create research opportunities. 

The Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) will be responsible for developing and implementing policies and strategies related to AI research, infrastructure and investments and advanced technologies in the emirate, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.

Collaboration with both local and global partners will be a key focus to develop plans and research programmes.

Abu Dhabi’s dedication to becoming a global tech centre is evident, with various AI-related businesses setting up last year.

In 2023, the Advanced Technology Research Council established a company called AI71 to build on Falcon, the large language model developed in Abu Dhabi.

A large language model is a type of AI programme that can recognise and generate text, among other tasks.

Core42 also unveiled Jais30B, a deep-learning algorithm capable of translating or generating Arabic text, in Abu Dhabi last year.

“The growth of the AI sector contributes to job creation, offering employment opportunities that, in turn, help nurture and retain talent within the region,” Sid Bhatia, regional vice president at AI company Dataiku, told AGBI in November. 

PwC Middle East estimates that by 2030 the Middle East will account for two percent of the total global benefits of AI – the equivalent of $320 billion. 

Growth in AI’s contribution to GDP is expected to range from 20 to 34 percent per year across the region, with the biggest impact set to be seen in the UAE.

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