A new generation of digital natives is set to redefine the next decade, leveraging technology to tackle global issues like climate change and social inequality, stated a UAE minister.
During the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity meetings, Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, conveyed an optimistic message, encouraging global leaders to embrace bold future visions.
“The next 10 years will be dominated by digitally native individuals,” Al Olama remarked. “They will be more productive and informed than those who had to learn online skills. They will make the right choices.”
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He highlighted the tendency to focus on past constraints rather than future opportunities, a mindset the UAE actively opposes.
“We often view the future through a rearview mirror,” Al Olama said. “We must look ahead and choose the best path to save the climate, create opportunities, and shape the world—an ethos embraced by the UAE.”
Grand Vision
Recalling the UAE’s journey, the minister noted that its current AI leadership seemed impossible in 1991.
This shift, he argued, proves that ambitious visions can become reality when pursued with determination. “Our fear for the future is a lack of bold visions to solve pressing issues.” He urged a positive approach to tackle significant challenges like climate change and energy access.
Al Olama cited the blockchain network’s creation, which mobilized over 20 gigawatts of power globally in 12 years, as evidence of clear incentives driving change.
“What incentive do we have to save the climate?” he asked. “Can we save the climate in 10 years? Absolutely. It’s a bold idea, but it’s possible.”
Addressing AI-related fears, the minister offered data-driven optimism, noting a recent Axios report showing AI-generated content leveling at 52% online, countering takeover predictions.
“Our doom and gloom predictions are not entirely justified,” he noted, explaining that market dynamics and user preferences naturally create balance.
Ultimately, Al Olama stated, the UAE’s journey exemplifies the impact of a small nation with a grand vision.
He highlighted Dubai’s evolution from a business hub to a global AI innovation center, now “defining the uncharted boundaries of artificial intelligence.”
He shared a vital lesson from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “Without a vision, you become part of someone else’s vision. Without a dream, you become part of someone else’s dream.”
