Emirati pledges to focus on AI inclusivity in developing countries in key role

UN-supported AI for Good Impact Initiative aims to raise $23 million each year to deploy ethical AI, chairperson Ebtesam Al Mazrouei says

Ebtesam Al Mazrouei is leading a push to build concrete AI governance and standards around the world. Photo: ITU

A UN-backed initiative is aiming to promote artificial intelligence governance on the global stage, with a special focus on developing economies, its newly appointed Emirati chairwoman has said.

Part of the AI for Good Impact Initiative involves raising $23.4 million annually, which will be used to mobilise resources for the deployment of responsible AI, helping to streamline its ethics and aligning the technology with sustainable goals, Ebtesam Al Mazrouei told The National in an interview on Friday.

“Addressing [AI's] challenges effectively [in developing countries] is crucial to success. Our strategies include convening investments for programmes, addressing regional disparities to ensure that we have inclusivity, navigating barriers and scaling solutions sustainably,” she said.

In line with this alignment, the initiative plans to expand its impact across all regions to “foster a more inclusive dialogue on AI's role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by hosting events and workshops globally”, she added.

“AI holds an unprecedented promise in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges. Our primary focus is to identify and scale AI applications that directly contribute to each one of the 17 SDGs.”

Ms Al Mazrouei was appointed chairperson of the AI for Good Impact Initiative in May. The Switzerland-based programme was introduced by the International Telecommunications Union and collaborates with 40 UN agencies. She is also a senior AI consultant for the Geneva-based ITU.

Ms Al Mazrouei – who has also held key AI leadership positions in the UAE, one of them as executive director at Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute – was this week also named among the top 100 AI Thought Leaders of global open-source AI community H20.ai, one of only two Arabs on the list and the first Emirati.

Her role and recognition comes with “tremendous responsibility” as it “acknowledge[s] a reflection of the collective efforts of my previous teams, partners and the UAE's leadership, who are dedicated to leveraging AI for good”, she said.

Being clear with transparency

The AI for Good Impact Initiative's strategy entails collaborating with governments, NGOs, regulators and the private sector, which all have a responsibility to streamline the use of AI, most notably promoting transparency and accountability, she said.

This comes at a time when concern is growing about the misuse of the technology to spread misinformation, hate speech, fake news and deepfake imagery.

And while global bodies have long promoted the benefits of AI, pressure is also intensifying to curb its misuse, which has the potential to become rampant as the technology is easily within reach, most notably on smartphones and other devices through easy-to-learn applications.

“We recognise the critical importance of addressing potential risks,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.

“We are currently working closely with global experts to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and for the greater good.”

She did not disclose any technology majors involved, possibly AI bigwigs such as OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Apple and Elon Musk's X, but did acknowledge her initiative is in discussions with “different organisations and international leaders”.

They have, however, given a “positive response” on not only participating in AI ethical standards but also in “capacity building and different programmes” for the programme, she added.

“This call is for everyone who has expertise and knowledge in the technical development of the deployment of AI to allow us to build concrete AI governance and standards around that.”

UAE leading the way

The UAE's efforts to promote AI and other emerging technologies have gained significant traction, attracting investments and talent that affirms the high level of capabilities the country has to offer.

This has also catapulted some of the nation's leaders into key global positions. Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, also sits as a board member of the UN's High-level Advisory Body on AI.

This is helping the Emirates, and the wider Middle East, to grow its status as an emerging technology hub. Abu Dhabi is already home to locally developed large language models – the underlying technology of AI – including Falcon and Jais.

“We want to scale our knowledge and resources … not only for the Middle East and North Africa, but also for different countries around the world. The mission is to have AI applications and solutions that are applicable, measurable and inclusive, [irrespective of] your region and your country,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.