More than three-quarters (76 percent) of UAE IT decision-makers agree that the public cloud is “important” for integrating future technology – such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and the Internet of Things — to transform citizen and customer experiences, according to a new YouGov survey of 502 UAE-based IT decision-makers.

The UAE is rapidly digitally transforming with future technology, argues the global technology company SAP. Dubai’s Internet of Things Strategy will enable smart lifestyles by 2021. The Emirates Blockchain Strategy plans to transform 50 percent of government transactions on to blockchain by 2021. The UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence aims to boost government performance and drive economic value in nine industries.

As part of their digital transformation, UAE organizations are investing in future technology. For example, MicroMarket Monitor says the UAE’s Internet of Things market will top USD 35 billion by 2019. Artificial intelligence could boost the country’s GDP by USD 96 billion by 2030, according to a recent report by PwC.

Integrating all of these future technology solutions together on one digital platform can deliver a major business benefit, argues global technology company SAP.

“Over three-quarters of UAE IT decision-makers agreeing on the importance of the public cloud in integrating future technology shows how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things can drive economic growth, boost competitiveness, and transform daily lives,” said Zakaria Haltout, Managing Director, SAP UAE. “Already we’re working closely with UAE public sector organizations – such as Expo 2020 Dubai and the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi – to deliver real-time and secure government services, predict resident needs, and support urban innovations.”

Supporting the UAE’s digital transformation, SAP is the first multi-national business applications company to go live and onboard customers on to a public cloud data center in the UAE. This public cloud data center is the foundation of SAP’s ongoing 5-year USD 200 million investment plan for the UAE.

“The UAE has seen a wide range of individual pilot projects and proofs of concept for artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things,” added Zakaria Haltout. “The next step will move beyond technology for technology’s sake and identify how these future technology solutions can meet business needs – reducing traffic, enabling real-time utilities, and having secure digital real estate contracts.”

For Expo 2020 Dubai, SAP is the Innovative Enterprise Software Partner, with the SAP S/4HANA digital core as the foundation for data-driven insights, from visitor preferences to sustainability, for an expected 25 million visits. During the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi, Real-time cloud-based analytics delivered full visibility and predictive decision-making to optimize services for 7,000+ athletes from 195 nations.

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