UAE initiatives yield smart results

With artificial Intelligence and smart technology reshaping the future of the world, lethargy cannot be an option in digital transformation. It is enriching to note that the UAE well recognises this fact and has smartly pressed the right keys.

The first edition of the IMD Smart City Index 2019 (SCI), which ranks 102 cities worldwide, has declared that Dubai and Abu Dhabi lead the region as first and second smart cities and this is yet another big recognition for the nation on the digital transformation front.

According to the new and uniquely “citizen-focused” ranking of global urban areas, which reveals the necessity of aligning policy with the lives and needs of citizens, Dubai which lands 45th globally topped Paris, Chicago and Brusseles, while Abu Dhabi (56th), Tokyo and Osaka, all of which are considered leading global interconnected cities.

Being a globally-recognised “smart” city is critical for attracting investment and talent, creating a potential “virtuous cycle” in favour of an advanced group of cities such as Singapore, Zurich and Oslo.

It should be noted that the IMD’s SCI is the only global index of its kind. It uniquely focuses on how citizens perceive the scope and impact of efforts to make their cities “smart,” balancing “economic and technological aspects” with “humane dimensions.”

As well pointed out by Professor Arturo Bris, Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are two cities that stand out in the whole Middle East and North Africa region in terms of quality of technology and provision of social services to improve quality of life. In the future, the focus of the two cities on city planning and design will continue to be a role model.

The UAE is already ranked first in the Arab Region and fourth globally in the launch and use of 5G networks, as per the Global Connectivity Index, The Connectivity Index, issued by Carphone Warehouse, which specialises in technology benchmarking.

The UAE is also the third globally in the overall ranking of the index, which measures the Total Connectivity Rating (Most Connected Countries) through four pillars: the movement infrastructure, information technology, global connectivity and social connectivity.

This achievement is undoubtedly the result of the efforts of the telecommunications sector in general, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, as the main driver of the launch of the 5G in the country.

The TRA has worked in cooperation with operators to raise the telecom sector readiness to enter this state-of-the-art technology, which contributes to the UAE’s global leadership and makes it first to deploy and operate 5G networks.

The transition to 5G will enable the UAE to achieve its goals in terms of global competitiveness.

The digital embrace happens on multiple fronts. For example, Director General of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih recently inaugurated smart training rooms at the Customs Training Centre, specifically developed to raise training standards and offer an attractive positive environment for both trainees and trainers.

“Dubai Customs is strongly committed to developing its human capital’s technical, behavioural and knowledge capabilities by providing best-in-class training facilities that are fully-equipped to deliver modern training for our employees and make them ready to better perform their job duties with dedication and professionalism, while keeping a passion for continuous learning and development,” said Musabih, during the opening.

The nation has embarked on continuous upgradation at various levels of governance, keeping pace with ever-changing technology. Visionary leadership has helped lead the digitisation race in the region.