UAE Minister Recognized on TIME's Prestigious Top 100 AI Influential List

In 2017, Al Olama made history as the world's inaugural appointment to the position of UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.

A UAE official, globally recognized as the pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), has earned a place on Time magazine's inaugural roster of the 100 most influential figures in AI.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, commended Omar Sultan Al Olama for his inclusion in the list. Al Olama currently holds the role of UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.

Sheikh Mohammed conveyed his pride in every accomplished Emirati who brings honor to the nation through their outstanding achievements, emphasizing that the youth represent the UAE's most valuable asset. His message was posted on the microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

In 2017, Al Olama achieved the historic milestone of becoming the world's inaugural UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Then, in July 2020, his responsibilities were broadened to encompass Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.

Time magazine quoted the 33-year-old minister, who emphasized the necessity of having an individual overseeing AI and its implementation throughout the government with a comprehensive perspective. He stressed the importance of ensuring some level of coordination among various governmental entities.

The magazine also pointed out that the United States, the European Union, and China, some of the most influential players in this realm, have yet to follow the UAE's pioneering example.

Time magazine explained the methodology behind its compilation of the list, revealing that its editors and reporters sought nominations and recommendations from leaders in the industry and consulted with numerous expert sources. From these inputs, the magazine curated a selection of "100 leaders, pioneers, innovators, and thinkers who are actively shaping the current landscape of artificial intelligence."

Among the notable figures on the list, apart from Al Olama, are policymakers and government officials such as US representatives Anna Eshoo and Ted Lieu, as well as Ian Hogarth, the chair of the UK's AI Foundation Model Taskforce.

Other individuals featured on the list encompass a diverse range of influential personalities, including Elon Musk of xAI, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Rumman Chowdhury, CEO, and co-founder of Humane Intelligence, and Abeba Birhane, a cognitive scientist, among many others.

Remarkably, the list includes both the youngest and oldest figures in the AI arena. Eighteen-year-old Sneha Revanur is recognized for her work as the leader of Encode Justice, a youth-led movement advocating for ethical AI and her recent engagement with the Biden Administration. At the other end of the age spectrum is 76-year-old Geoffrey Hinton, who departed from his position at Google in the spring to openly address the risks associated with the technology he played a pivotal role in developing.

News Source: Khaleej Times