UAE-led AI Pact Targets Digital Inclusion in Global South
New UAE-Malaysia-Rwanda partnership aims to bridge AI knowledge gap and promote technology policy collaboration.
Rising concerns over the potential exacerbation of global inequality by emerging technologies have spurred a new UAE-led initiative, backed by Malaysia and Rwanda.
This partnership seeks to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the Global South, with a focus on expanding AI use, promoting knowledge sharing, and enhancing responsible governance frameworks.
The agreement was formalized through the World Economic Forum's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution global network, building upon an initiative introduced by the UAE and Rwanda at the 2024 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.
This partnership aims to bridge the AI expertise gap and foster digital transformation across Global South countries, which risk being left behind as the AI market is projected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033.
Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia's minister of digital, expressed pride in joining forces with the UAE and Rwanda, stating that the partnership reflects a collective goal for a future driven by responsible AI innovation.
The C4IR Network AI Fellowship Program, developed through this collaboration, is designed to connect AI leaders and experts across continents through knowledge sharing, talent exchange, and joint solution development.
The memorandum of understanding, witnessed by UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Al-Olama and Malaysia's Singh Deo, aims to deepen South-South collaboration on technology policy, research, and skills development.
With Malaysia now part of the expanded C4IR AI Fellowship Program, the partnership supports initiatives such as talent exchange, joint innovation, and the development of responsible governance frameworks led by Global South countries.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized that this expanded partnership will help unlock greater value from AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications.
The UAE remains committed to building global collaboration to achieve inclusive, sustainable development through technology and knowledge sharing.
Crystal Rugege, managing director of the Rwanda Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, noted that the strategic partnership complements Rwanda's flagship initiatives, including the AI Innovation Lab and the Global AI Summit on Africa.
This enhances efforts to promote cutting-edge research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building, with a commitment to empowering Rwanda and its partner countries to fully leverage AI for sustainable and inclusive development.
The Global Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network brings together public and private sector partners to harness emerging technologies while managing their risks.
Through a global network of independent centers, it promotes the responsible use of these technologies.
This partnership seeks to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the Global South, with a focus on expanding AI use, promoting knowledge sharing, and enhancing responsible governance frameworks.
The agreement was formalized through the World Economic Forum's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution global network, building upon an initiative introduced by the UAE and Rwanda at the 2024 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.
This partnership aims to bridge the AI expertise gap and foster digital transformation across Global South countries, which risk being left behind as the AI market is projected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033.
Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia's minister of digital, expressed pride in joining forces with the UAE and Rwanda, stating that the partnership reflects a collective goal for a future driven by responsible AI innovation.
The C4IR Network AI Fellowship Program, developed through this collaboration, is designed to connect AI leaders and experts across continents through knowledge sharing, talent exchange, and joint solution development.
The memorandum of understanding, witnessed by UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Al-Olama and Malaysia's Singh Deo, aims to deepen South-South collaboration on technology policy, research, and skills development.
With Malaysia now part of the expanded C4IR AI Fellowship Program, the partnership supports initiatives such as talent exchange, joint innovation, and the development of responsible governance frameworks led by Global South countries.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized that this expanded partnership will help unlock greater value from AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications.
The UAE remains committed to building global collaboration to achieve inclusive, sustainable development through technology and knowledge sharing.
Crystal Rugege, managing director of the Rwanda Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, noted that the strategic partnership complements Rwanda's flagship initiatives, including the AI Innovation Lab and the Global AI Summit on Africa.
This enhances efforts to promote cutting-edge research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building, with a commitment to empowering Rwanda and its partner countries to fully leverage AI for sustainable and inclusive development.
The Global Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network brings together public and private sector partners to harness emerging technologies while managing their risks.
Through a global network of independent centers, it promotes the responsible use of these technologies.
