Dubai government entities and private sector companies will collaborate to develop innovative solutions in eight strategic sectors under the Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) programme, it was announced yesterday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the programme during a visit to the DFA programme’s 22,000-square-foot headquarters, where eight accelerators, working in collaboration with government authorities, will focus each on key economic sectors namely, education, health, infrastructure, transportation, safety and security, energy and technology, and finance.
The programme is an initiative by the Dubai Future Foundation and aims to cement Dubai’s – and the UAE’s – position as an international hub for designing the future.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, were present, along with senior Dubai Government officials.
Shaikh Mohammad, Shaikh Hamdan and Mohammad Al Gergawi following the launch. Photo: WAM
Addressing officials, Shaikh Mohammad said: “We are embarking on a new era, establishing a government that proactively plans for the future. The next generation of technology will reshape the global economic map, as well as drastically alter the way people live. This offers both, tremendous challenges and extraordinary opportunities.”
The DFA is an intensive 12-week programme that connects top companies and innovative entrepreneurs with partners in Dubai to develop new and innovative solutions.
Over 2,200 companies from 73 countries applied to be a part of the first cycle of the programme, including one submission from scientists in Antarctica. Thirty companies are collaborating with government departments to develop transformative projects with multi-billion dollar potential.
Shaikh Mohammad said: “Our philosophy is to turn every single dirham the government spends in developing its sectors into a dirham invested in the future.”
He said he would personally follow up on the accelerators’ projects and investments.
Shaikh Mohammad also opened a headquarters of Emirates NBD, which is managed and all its services provided using artificial intelligence systems and without employees.
“This is will be the bank of the future,” he said.
Speaking at the launch, Shaikh Hamdan said: “Shaikh Mohammad wants each body or organisation to design the future of its sector, build new markets, strengthen the UAE’s competitiveness and improve people’s lives through its services."
Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa, said: “We look at a future during which buildings can generate their power by themselves using resources of clean and renewable energy.”
Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of Dubai Health Authority, said: “The future of health care will be based on utilising micro medicine and comprehensive health care.”
Eng Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “The future will be based on buildings executed by the use of 3D print technology and built by robots, and equipped with vertical farms.”
Lt Gen Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Dubai Police Chief, said: “The future of security and safety will greatly depend on the utilisation of data and the ability to analyse it.”
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of RTA, said: “The future of transport will be determined by selfdriving... eco-friendly systems.”
Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said: “The future of education will be based on the use of cloud technology. Schools will embrace cloud technology to prepare for the future of learning, with open resources.”
Shaikh Mohammad reviews innovative products following the launch of the programme yesterday. Photo: WAM
Focus Areas
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Will work on cooling system using solar energy to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent.
Dubai Police
Will introduce systems that rely on genetic, biological and behavioural data to help identify and track down outlaws.
Dubai Municipality
Will work on growing food using aeroponics, the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil.
Dubai Health Authority
Will use genomics and analytical science as well as remote therapeutic techniques to enhance the efficiency of medical diagnosis.
RTA
Will develop a self-driving system for public transport in Dubai. It will also study the application of the Hyperloop train technology in Dubai.
