During the recent conference of the Arab Parliament and Arab parliamentary leaders, hosted in Cairo under the theme of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) safely for employment, Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi—representing Saqr Ghobash, the President of the Federal National Council—delivered a speech on behalf of the UAE Parliamentary Division.
Al Yamahi highlighted the pivotal importance of the topic under discussion, noting that AI is becoming a defining element of humanity’s future progress, prosperity, and security. He emphasized the necessity of developing proactive legislation, policies, and strategies to regulate AI usage and its applications, and the importance of investing in talent to lead and shape the future. Furthermore, Al Yamahi pointed out the critical need for collaborative efforts to govern and advance AI in a way that positively shapes the quality of life, national growth, and ensures its safe and ethical applications.
The UAE’s leadership has been at the forefront of the AI revolution, demonstrated by the appointment of the world’s first State Minister for AI and the launch of the national AI strategy. Additionally, the establishment of Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, the first specialized graduate-level AI university globally, and the introduction of various effective policies and programs, were underscored as exemplars of the nation’s commitment to innovation.
Reflecting on regional challenges, Al Yamahi also expressed regret over the United Nations Security Council’s failure to pass a resolution recognizing full membership for the State of Palestine. He reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast position in advocating peace, justice, Palestinian rights, the two-state solution, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian nation per international law and related agreements. Eliminating tension and instability in the region, according to the UAE Parliamentary Division, is contingent upon resolving the Palestinian issue fairly and comprehensively.
Important Questions & Answers:
1. What are the key challenges associated with the safe harnessing of AI?
Key challenges include ensuring data privacy and security, preventing biases in AI algorithms, maintaining transparency in AI decision-making processes, and addressing the potential displacement of jobs due to AI automation. Additionally, there is the dual-use nature of AI, which can be employed for both beneficial and harmful purposes.
2. What are some controversies surrounding AI?
Controversies often arise around the ethical use of AI, including surveillance concerns and the potential for AI to be used in military applications or autonomous weaponry. Moreover, the control over AI development and use by a few corporate giants has raised significant antitrust and monopoly concerns.
3. What advantages does AI offer?
AI offers advantages such as increased efficiency and productivity, the ability to handle complex computations and data analysis, improved healthcare diagnostics, personalized education and customer service, and advancements in autonomous vehicles and smart city infrastructure.
4. What are the disadvantages?
Disadvantages include the aforementioned risks and ethical concerns, potential unemployment due to job automation, the digital divide exacerbating socioeconomic disparities, and the challenge of ensuring that AI behaves as intended in real-world scenarios.
Related Links:
1. United Nations – For further information on international law and agreements related to statehood and human rights.
2. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – For insights into AI’s impact on telecommunications and global guidelines.
3. IEEE – As they work on Ethically Aligned Design for AI and Autonomous Systems.
4. World Economic Forum – For broader discussions on AI governance and the future of work.
Conclusion:
The Emirates Parliamentary Division’s call for the safe harnessing of AI is a testament to their awareness of the significant role AI plays in the modern world and the potential risks associated with its rapid deployment. It is indicative of a wider global conversation on how to best manage and regulate AI technologies to maximize their benefits while minimizing potential harms. It also shows the UAE’s commitment to shaping a future that aligns technological advancements with human values and ethical considerations.
The source of the article is from the blog tvbzorg.com