Committee chaired by Dubai Crown Prince to invest in metaverse, boost digital economy

A high-level committee set up in Dubai will help shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI) by investing in the metaverse and establishing partnerships to boost the emirate’s digital economy. It will follow up on the digital economy’s performance and ensure that its contribution is on a par with global benchmarks.

The Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy will be chaired by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It will design policies for new technologies like the metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Web3, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), data centres and cloud computing.

“Dubai’s digital transformation was initiated in 1999 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Today, we continue to strive to achieve his vision,” Sheikh Hamdan tweeted.

“Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s far-sighted vision consolidated the status of Dubai as a leading global hub for innovative new concepts and disruptive economic and technological models by deploying advanced technology in vital sectors to improve people’s standard of living,” he added.

Dubai is a “global testbed for technology and future business models” aimed at creating new economic opportunities. “We are working as a team to enhance Dubai’s position as a global birthplace and research laboratory for future technologies and one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies.”

Earlier this month, Sheikh Hamdan said the metaverse would support 40,000 virtual jobs and add $4 billion to Dubai’s economy in five years. This came as he announced the Dubai Metaverse Strategy that aims to make the emirate among the world’s top 10 metaverse economies.

Members and mandate of the higher committee

The UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, will be the deputy chairman of the committee.

Members are: Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Dubai Digital Authority; Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation; Ahmed bin Byat, Vice-Chair of the board of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; Malek Al Malek, Director-General of Dubai Development Authority; Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority; and Maha Al Mezaina, General Rapporteur of the Committee.

The committee will supervise the implementation of strategies related to the digital economy and future technologies in Dubai.

It will work to identify the future skills needed for the digital sectors and advise the economic sectors about the digital economy.

The committee will also plan to attract international companies and conferences specialising in future technologies and the digital economy. Further, it will build strategic partnerships with entities working in the field of digital economy worldwide.

Over 2 decades of digital innovations

According to Digital Dubai, the city’s technological journey began in 1999 with the announcement of its first ICT strategy, “which was followed by the launch of Dubai Internet City, Dubai e- government, Dubai Smart Government and the Dubai Smart Office”.

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