Humans are not going to be completely replaced by technology in the UAE, said Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. "We don't believe in the UAE that humans are going to be completely replaced by technology… We have seen certain sectors that have completely transformed such as aviation, automobiles, and transport as well. They are increasingly becoming technology-driven sectors and no longer dependent on humans," Al Olama said at the launch of the National Digital Talent Programme. Launched by Emirates NBD, the programme will nurture a pool of 300 young future-ready interns over the next four years. The programme has been launched in cooperation with the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office, Higher Colleges of Technology and the University of Sharjah.

The UAE has appointed Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, aged 27, as the country's first minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, announced the UAE Strategy for artificial intelligence, a major part of the UAE Centennial 2070 objectives. The AI initiative aims to improve government performance and create an innovative and highly-productive environment by means of investing in AI. "We initiated electronic services 16 years go and today we are launching a fresh stage relying on Artificial Intelligence," Sheikh Mohammed said. "We are seeking to adopt tools and methodologies related to artificial intelligence to expedite and ensure more efficiency for government services at all levels." In the last significant structural change, Sheikh Mohammed announced in February last year that the UAE will outsource most government tasks to the private sector and cut the number of ministries.