Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) released a report titled ‘The Arab World Online 2017’ on Wednesday, which examines the digital transformation and societal trends brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Arab region.
The findings assess public readiness towards and concerns about emerging digital technologies across the Arab region. This is the first-of-its-kind assessment of societal trends, behaviour and concerns about advanced and emerging digital technologies in the Arab region.
The findings also cover a spectrum of technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as online bots, autonomous vehicles, UAVs, drones, robotics, in addition to virtual and augmented reality applications, 3D printing, blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies, sharing economy service and Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as wearables, connected cars and smart homes systems.
“According to our research, there are more than 460 million personal IoT devices in the Arab region used by 173 million internet users today. The number of personal IoT devices will almost double to 890 million by 2020 and will interact with 208 million users in the region,” said Fadi Salem, MBRSG’s director of Research and Advisory and author of the study.
He explained this infrastructure of internet-connected things and people will trigger new digital transformation and enable technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as artificial intelligence to go mainstream in the Arab region. “This will require new sets of policy responses,” he added.
The report indicates that readiness for the technological advancements associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution is high in the region. For example, more than 70 per cent of internet users said that they were willing to use 3D printing applications if made available at reasonable costs. Likewise, personal robotics, virtual reality and driverless cars were viewed as something half of respondents were willing to use if made available at reasonable costs.
Meanwhile, blockchain and cryptocurrencies scored the highest levels of uncertainty in terms of respondents’ readiness to use them. Around a third of respondents said that they are not sure if they will use blockchain applications even if they are made available and accessible to them at reasonable costs today. Just the same, readiness for using UAVs and drones is the lowest in the region compared to the other emerging technologies.
When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), the study reveals that AI applications, such as AI-based chatbots, are for the most part positively viewed by the public, especially when used for customer service and commercial uses.
However, respondents expressed concerns regarding privacy, safety and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Respondents also pointed out their concern for safety as well as economic ramifications of implementing AI technologies in self-driving cars.
“Clearly, artificial intelligence applications provoke the most concerns among people in the Arab region. In total, 59 per cent of internet users in the Arab region are concerned about AI in general or about AI-related applications such as driverless cars, which makes it a priority area for policy responses by governments in the region,” Salem added.
Meanwhile, with increased online presence, people around the region have voiced concerns regarding cyberterrorism, cybercrimes and cyberbullying.
The top five issues worrying Arab internet users are cyberterrorism, cybercrimes, cyberbullying, fake news online, and commercial exploitation, Salem added.
On average, 75 per cent internet users in the region said that they have experienced at least one type of cyber threat during the past two years. These include viruses, scams, hacking, bullying, harassment, identity theft, data breaches, extortion or ransomware.
The report looks into which areas require further attention to address online challenges. Around eight per cent of internet users in the region said that they do not take any cybersecurity measure when online, while one out of five does not use any antivirus application, and only 40 per cent of them use firewall applications when online.
However, very few Arab countries have set future-driven policies and strategies to prepare for the advent of these innovations.
In terms of policy responses priority, the survey said governments should offer skill building for the digital economy (such as coding workshops) as policy to address the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including for children, in addition to supporting research and development.
In his address during the launch of the report, Professor Raed Awamleh, dean of the Mohammad Bin Rashid School of Government, said: “It is important to highlight that upskilling, education, and research and development are the top three areas where policy responses are required for this new era of development according to the survey findings. Policymakers should take note of the public awareness and appreciation of what priorities should be put in place to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution.”
Dr Ali Al Merri, executive president of the school, highlighted the need for further awareness about the digital world. “Building the government of the future requires that policymakers in the region have better understanding of the multifaceted dynamics of the ongoing digital transformation brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Arab region. During this fast-changing phase, the school will continue to empower future leaders through educational activities and evidence-based policy research,” he said.
As the title suggests, the Arab World Online 2017 report examines online activity around the Arab world, looking into how Arab users consume online material and services, including sharing economy services, instant messaging apps, and video and voice calling apps.
Report’s findings
Media and news consumption online has increased over the past two years
92% of respondents reported using the internet for socialising
79% said they consume news online on a monthly basis
77% in the region use the internet for career-oriented goals on a monthly basis
72% consume music, video and multimedia online
26% use it monthly for gaming purposes
68% use it for educational activities, including researching and taking online courses
40% do online shopping and retail activities at least once a month
33% use online government services on a monthly basis
82% thought it important for the government to use open data
