Omar Sultan Al Olama (عمر سلطان العلماء) is Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications in the United Arab Emirates. He was appointed in October 2017[3] by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The UAE was the first country to appoint a minister for artificial intelligence.[4]
Omar Sultan Al Olama | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Omar Sultan Al Olama in 2023 | |
| Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications [a] | |
| Assumed office 11 July 2020 | |
| President | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Prime Minister | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence | |
| In office 20 October 2017 – 11 July 2020 | |
| President | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Prime Minister | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 February 1990 Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Alma mater | American University in Dubai American University in Sharjah |
Early life and education edit
Al Olama was born on 16 February 1990 in Dubai. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from the American University in Dubai, and a Diploma in Excellence and Project Management from the American University in Sharjah.[5]
Career edit
Al Olama's responsibilities as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence include creating and fostering international efforts in responsibly governing Artificial Intelligence and reflecting the UAE's vision on ethical use of AI.
Before his ministerial position, Al Olama worked in several sectors including the banking sector, telecommunications, private enterprises and government. Between February 2012 and May 2014, Al Olama was member of the corporate planning at the UAE's Prime Minister's Office. From November 2015 to November 2016, he was Deputy Head of Minister's Office at the UAE's Prime Minister's Office. Between December 2015 and October 2017, he was Secretary General of the World Organization of Racing Drones. In November 2017, he was appointed member of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation and Deputy Managing Director of the Foundation. In July 2016, Al Olama was appointed the managing director, and later in 2021 appointed Vice-Chair of the World Government Summit. [6]
During his work in the Future Department at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Al Olama participated in developing the UAE Centennial 2071 Strategy. He also participated in developing the UAE 4th Industrial Revolution Strategy that aims to promote the UAE's status as a global hub for the 4th Industrial Revolution and develop a national economy based on knowledge, innovation and future technologies. Prior to his appointment, he worked on developing the UAE's Artificial Intelligence Strategy.[7]
In 2021, Al Olama was appointed as the Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. This was part of the restructuring of Dubai Chambers into three organizations - Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Dubai Chamber of International Trade. [8]
During the cabinet reshuffle in 2023, Al Olama was appointed as the Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, concurrently maintaining his role as the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.[9]
Memberships edit
In November 2017, Al Olama was appointed as a member of the Future of Digital Economy and Society Council,[10] part of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Later in 2023, the World Economic Forum selected Al Olama to join the steering committee of the AI Governance Alliance, a group comprising 10 global leaders in the digital and technological fields. [11]
In 2019, Al Olama was appointed as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the first graduate level, research-based AI university in the world.[12]
In 2022, Al Olama was appointed by the UAE Cabinet as Vice-Chair of the Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation which aims to supervise the UAE's digitisation plans of federal entities.[13] Al Olama was also appointed by the Government of Dubai as Vice-Chair of the Higher Committee for Future Technology, which aims to cement Dubai’s status as a leading global centre for innovation and disruptive technologies. [14]
In 2022, Al Olama was appointed Chairman of the oversight committee of the Dubai Future District Fund, which focuses on early-stage, high-growth technology start-ups for emerging markets in the region. [15]
In 2023, Al Olama was chosen by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to be a part of the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, which is composed of 38 members, including government officials, high-tech entrepreneurs, AI experts, and specialists.[16]
Recognition edit
In 2023, Al Olama, recognized as the world's first minister for artificial intelligence, was included in Time Magazine's inaugural list of the 100 most influential people in AI.[17]
UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence edit
In October 2017, the UAE Government launched the ‘UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy’. It covers education, transportation, energy, space and technology.[18]
First AI Summer Camp edit
On 1 July 2018, Al Olama inaugurated the first UAE AI Summer Camp. 2,200 applications from university students and government executives were received in just 24 hours.[19]
Notes edit
- ^ When Al Olama was sworn in, his title was listed as the Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications[1] but it is currently listed as the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications on the United Arab Emirates Cabinet's website [2]
References edit
- ^ "UAE Cabinet ministers take their oath before Mohammed bin Rashid". Government of Dubai Media Office. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Members Of The Cabinet". uaecabinet.ae. Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "UAE: First minister of artificial intelligence don land". BBC. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "The United Arab Emirates is the first country in the world to hire a minister for artificial intelligence". 16 December 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "LinkedIn Profile Page".
- ^ "His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama | World Government Summit". World Government Summit - Omar Sultan Al Olama. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Omar bin Sultan AlOlama".
- ^ Mansoor, Zainab (27 June 2021). "Sheikh Mohammed approves new board of Dubai Chambers". Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ National, The (7 February 2023). "Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announces Cabinet reshuffle". The National. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence appointed as a member in the World Economic Forum's Future of Digital Economy and Society Group". 10 November 2017.
- ^ "Steering Committee".
- ^ "Leadership and governance". MBZUAI. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ National, The (1 August 2022). "UAE to establish higher committee to drive digital transformation of government". The National. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ People, Dubai (26 July 2022). "Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy formed in Dubai". Dubai People. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Governance". Dubai Future District Fund. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ Nations, United. "Members". United Nations. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "UAE's Minister of Artificial Intelligence earns spot on Time Magazine's Top 100 AI voices list". Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, business and innovation. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "UAE residents may feel like living in sci-fi world by 2025". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "AI summer camp stands the nation in good stead to be a leader, not a follower". The National. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.