The UAE has earmarked 29th October as its annual ‘National Coders Day’ when everyone in the country is encouraged to explore their coding capabilities as the country pursues its aim of having the world’s largest per capital percentage of coders within 10 years.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications highlighted the initiative at GITEX GLOBAL Leaders Vision at Dubai World Trade Centre, as well as discussing plans for the UAE’s Coders’ Society which will bring together the 60,000 coders already resident in the UAE.
His Excellency said he believed the country could excel in developing women coders, bringing new employment opportunities to the female population throughout the Emirates.
Dubai Government paperless by year end
The Dubai Government will issue its last paper transaction on 12th December, the CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment, Digital Dubai told GITEX GLOBAL Leaders Vision. His Excellency Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment, Digital Dubai, said the date would mark the fulfillment of the Dubai Paperless Strategy launched in 2018. He said the strategy has saved 13 million hours of manual transactions as well as 325 million sheets of paper, translating into a forest of 39,000 trees – five times the size of New York’s Central Park.
Cross-border digital human rights call
GITEX GLOBAL Leaders Vision heard His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, Director General of Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, call for cross-border co-operation in maturing digital human rights. He said rights would include guaranteed access to the internet for all with digital connection being optional. He said that digital ethics legislation needs to be mature to safeguard privacy, balance freedom of speech with protection against harm to individuals, to put digital fluency at the core of education, optimise digital consumer rights and cybersecurity awareness.
More initiatives To Make Dubai World’s Safest City
Brigadier Khalid Nasser Al Razooqi, the Director General of Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Police, outlined to GITEX GLOBAL Leaders Vision attendees their new initiatives to be launched soon to help transform the Emirate into the world’s safest city. They include the launch of a GPS bullet vehicle camera tracking system and the world’s first floating smart, tech-loaded police station on the World Islands.
Made In UAE Satellite Components Goal
His Excellency Salem Al Marri, Deputy Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre confirmed Dubai would look to have the majority of components for its next satellite made locally by start-ups and SMEs.