Page 70 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

UAE Artificial Intelligence Network Launched to Accelerate Adoption of AI

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for
Artificial Intelligence, AI, said that the rapid
change of technology and its impact on key
sectors calls for strategic collaborations
and international partnerships to
accelerate the adoption of AI across
various sectors. This came during the
launch of the UAE Artificial Intelligence
Network, a network dedicated to gathering
academics, researchers, experts and start-
ups in the field of AI, further strengthening
the country’s position globally as a
preferred destination for AI development
and adoption. Al Olama highlighted that this
new initiative contributes towards realizing
the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence
2031, launched by His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President, Prime Minister and Ruler of
Dubai, to embrace and accelerate the
employment of AI and achieve tangible
progress in all areas of business, life and
government services. “The UAE has made
significant growth in its AI development
and adoption roadmap globally, by
connecting governments, private entities
and international organizations to
provide supportive platforms for this
technology. The UAE AI Network is a
concrete step towards achieving our
leadership’s vision in positioning the UAE business incubators and accelerators organized by the UAE National Program
as a global leader in AI by 2031, as well under one roof to discuss and exchange for AI, as well as AI-focused seminars,
as developing an integrated system that expertise in the field of AI, and identify conferences, workshops, meetings and
employs AI in vital areas in the UAE,” he challenges and roadblocks that affect the sessions. Members also benefit by
added. Through established partnerships adoption of AI, and how to solve them. The networking with AI experts, working closely
and collaborations, the UAE Artificial UAE Artificial Intelligence Network offers with AI pioneers and decision makers, as
Intelligence Network seeks to bring its members the opportunity to participate well as the opportunity to contribute with
together governments, private entities, in various local and international events, recommendations to the UAE Council for
international organizations, start-ups, including the annual AI Conferences Artificial Intelligence.
research centers, academic institutions,

Pakistan Telecom Imports Surged to $375.221 Million in July-September

Pakistan’s telecom imports surged to million in Sept 2018. The country’s import to $106.170 million in July-Sept 2019
$375.221 million in July-Sept 2019, which of cellular phones went up by 35.05 per from $129.317 million in July-Sept 2018,
are higher by 14.21 percent, official figures cent or $69.827 million to $269.051 million indicating a fall of 18 per cent or $23.147
say. Increase in telecom imports now in July-Sept 2019 from $199.224 million in million. The country also reduced its
stands at $46.68 million in July-Sept 2019 July-Sept 2018. Pakistan grew its mobile imports of other apparatuses significantly
from $328.541 million in July-Sept 2018, phones import phenomenally to $105.567 by 40 per cent or $20.207 million to
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows. In million in Sept 2019 from $62.307 million $30.312 million in Sept 2019 from $50.519
Sept 2019, the country imported 20.43 per in Sept 2018, showing an increase of million in Sep 2018.
cent or $23.053 million more telecom goods 69.43 per cent or $43.26 million. Imports
to $135.879 million compared to $112.826 of other apparatuses, however, slumped

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