Latest news with #smartgovernment
The National
7 hours ago
- Business
- The National
How government can continue serving Abu Dhabi's growing, savvy population effectively
Your smartphone knows when you're running low on storage and offers help. Your car reminds you about scheduled maintenance. Your banking app notices unusual spending patterns and alerts you immediately. So why do governments still expect you to remember when your driving licence expires? This simple question reflects a deeper truth − that public service must evolve further to meet modern expectations. And that's exactly why the Abu Dhabi government is fundamentally rethinking how we serve our people. According to recent data released by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, our population grew by 7.5 per cent, hitting 4.1 million last year − among the highest growth rates of any major financial centre globally. We also serve one of the world's most digitally sophisticated populations, with 80 per cent in the working-age bracket and a median age of 33. In Abu Dhabi, advanced technologies are central to any resident's day-to-day experience. When they order food, the app remembers their preferences. When they travel, their calendar automatically suggests departure times based on traffic. When they shop, recommendations appear based on past behaviour. Every interaction, no matter how small or simple, has primed them to expect services that understand context, anticipate needs and respect their time. And then they encounter a public service that still asks them to start from scratch − only now, the paper trail is digital. Too often, governments respond to rising expectations by simply moving old processes online. Fill out this form digitally instead of on paper. Check your application status on a website instead of calling. Download a document instead of collecting it in person. But digitisation isn't transformation. Real transformation asks a different question: what does this person actually need right now, and how can we provide it with minimal effort on their part? Today, even in a digitally advanced environment, people are still expected to navigate government on its terms − through separate processes, disconnected platforms and complex requirements. When someone moves to a new country, they face different systems for housing registration, school enrolment, healthcare access and utility connections − each with its own forms, timelines and rules. What they really need is to settle in smoothly. And the system should recognise this and co-ordinate accordingly. When an entrepreneur wants to start a business, it's not just about speeding up licence approvals but replacing fragmented steps with guided, end-to-end support − so that they can focus on building their venture, not deciphering bureaucracy. Across the Abu Dhabi government, our cross-departmental collaboration to bring Tamm to life has enabled us to prove that government can work this way. This vision would not have been possible without the forward thinking of our nation's leaders, who first conceptualised Tamm as a people-first transformation, one where services anticipate life's milestones and respond to real human needs. Their ambition was clear: to build a government that not only functions efficiently but helps people thrive. With it, we're showing what happens when government is built around life journeys and real needs, not institutional structures. Instead of requiring people to learn which of the 40-plus government entities handles which task, Tamm's AI assistant understands the context and navigates the system for them. It connects the dots across departments, so people don't have to. Today, more than 400,000 residents have engaged with Tamm's AI assistant, which now resolves 95 per cent of routine inquiries instantly. While efficiency metrics reveal a great deal, what truly matters is whether people feel genuinely supported instead of merely processed. Recognition at the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes reinforces this shift: Tamm was awarded first place globally in e-Government, a reflection of our commitment to human-centric digital transformation. But the real outcome is more powerful: Abu Dhabi is proving that government can be responsive, intuitive and human − and others are starting to follow. What makes this transformation possible is when data is used intelligently, not just collected extensively. A pivotal enabler of future AI capabilities is Stargate UAE − a landmark collaboration between Abu Dhabi, OpenAI, Nvidia and other tech leaders − that brings cutting-edge AI infrastructure directly to the emirate. Designed to support the use of frontier AI safely and at scale, Stargate gives us a strategic advantage: the ability to harness next-generation AI models in real time, on sovereign infrastructure, with world-class performance. This is a foundational leap forward that will empower us to build smarter, more responsive public services, tailored to the specific needs of our society. We can see demographic shifts in real-time through our census platform and plan infrastructure before bottlenecks occur. We can identify service gaps before complaints arise. We can spot emerging needs in specific communities and respond proactively. While some might be quick to argue that this is all about control, it really isn't. Think about it. It's the same way your navigation app uses traffic data to suggest better routes. Here, government can use population data to provide better services in line with community needs. What I find interesting is that many observers are still surprised that implementing AI hasn't reduced the importance of human judgment, it has only amplified it. When our systems handle routine transactions automatically, our civil servants can focus on complex cases that require empathy, cultural understanding and creative problem-solving. When AI processes standard applications, people have the freedom to focus on what they do best: understand nuance, exercise judgment and serve the public interest with wisdom that no algorithm can replicate. When the government works properly, everyone benefits in ways that extend far beyond convenience. Entrepreneurs launch businesses faster, hire sooner. Families spend more time together instead of dealing with administrative tasks. Students don't miss opportunities because of confusing processes. New residents feel welcomed rather than overwhelmed. Good governments don't just serve people better − they help them thrive. Despite recent progress, significant challenges remain. Balancing innovation with equity, ensuring data privacy while enabling personalisation, maintaining human connection in an increasingly digital world − these require constant attention. When we think about the future of government, it's worth reflecting on the role it plays in one's daily life today: is it genuinely helpful? Can it help a working parent handle necessary tasks without needing to take time off? Does it take the time to ensure that elderly residents feel supported rather than intimidated and confused by new systems? Transformation doesn't happen overnight. Every improvement reveals new possibilities, and every success raises expectations further. This is simply the reality of serving a dynamic, fast-growing, digitally native population.
LBCI
03-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a speech at the closing session of the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, held under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun at Phoenicia Hotel. He emphasized that 'digital transformation is not a luxury for Lebanon, but a necessity. It is a reform that directly serves citizens—saving time, reducing corruption, and improving service quality. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth: without digital governance, there can be no investment that meets our ambitions. Without transparency, there can be no trust, and without modernization, there are no opportunities worthy of our youth to build their future in their homeland.' He pointed out that 'to succeed, full coordination between ministries and public administrations is essential. Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world. We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon to the knowledge and production networks of the 21st century.' He announced that 'Lebanon intends to join the Digital Cooperation Organization and has begun taking the necessary legal steps to do so, reaffirming its commitment to genuine integration into the regional and international digital economy.' He added: 'Shortly, we aim to launch digital projects that are financially viable and self-sustaining. We also seek to build a unified and centralized governmental digital infrastructure that ensures coordination among different administrations and enhances efficiency and good governance.' He stressed that 'digital transformation is a gateway to reforming state institutions and restoring citizens' trust in them. Let this conference serve as a genuine starting point, not just a ceremonial event. We have much work ahead, but we also have the tools and partners. Let's begin now.'
The National
03-06-2025
- Business
- The National
'It's now or never': Lebanon looks to digital transformation to revive economy and curb corruption
Lebanon 's President Joseph Aoun has pledged to expand digitalisation in the public sector as part of a broader drive to make government more efficient, revive the economy and tackle corruption. The country must be "open to regional partnerships and ready for foreign investment", he said at the Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon conference in Beirut. 'The smart government is always postponed so that citizens' paperwork remains hostage to the whims of the corrupt,' Mr Aoun said. 'We want Lebanon to be open to regional partnerships and ready for foreign investment. The digitalisation project is not just a government initiative, it is a national project and a sovereign decision for a better future." The conference brought together senior officials, business leaders and experts from the Lebanese diaspora to discuss the country's digital strategy, including its policy for artificial intelligence and the role of public-private partnerships in innovation. 'Now is the right time because we are living in the era of global digital transformation. If Lebanon doesn't catch up, it risks missing the moment,' said Rabih El Amine, chairman of the Lebanese Executives Council, which organised the event. He added that Lebanon has reached a turning point for reform with the election of Mr Aoun and appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after more than two years of political vacuum, and 14 months of deadly conflict with Israel. 'We now have a newly elected President and a government in formation. Both have pledged in their initial statements to endorse and support the establishment of a smart government in Lebanon,' Mr El Amine said Political will and legal reforms are essential for Lebanon to initiate its digital transformation, he said. 'International partners are ready to help. We're here to help the government build the needed infrastructure for digital transitions," he said. "But if parliament does not modernise laws to align with these strategies, then we go nowhere." Lebanon's Minister of the Displaced and Minister for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Kamal Shehadi, outlined his flagship initiative at the conference. Known as LEAP, the project is aimed at driving digital reform, transforming government operations and the broader economy, and developing AI infrastructure. Under the initiative, AI is expected to contribute 10 per cent of the country's GDP by 2035, supported by expanded broadband and digital infrastructure, generating an economic boost of $3 billion to $4 billion. It also aims to attract $500 million in AI investment and double the AI workforce. 'This is our last chance,' Nadine Shawi, an adviser to the Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, told The National. 'The time is now. We've also established a digital authority to oversee everything related to AI, and we're actively co-ordinating with other ministries. This is the right moment. We're making progress and now is the time to accelerate development.' Economic challenge Since 2019, Lebanon has faced what the World Bank described as one of the worst financial crises since the mid-19th century, with the local currency losing more than 90 per cent of its value and public services collapsing. The financial meltdown, which has resulted in losses exceeding $70 billion, has left banks nearly insolvent and locked many depositors out of their savings. One in three Lebanese is living in poverty, according to a World Bank report released last year. 'After the 2019 financial crash, investors will think 10 times before putting money in. The government needs to create the right conditions for investment,' Jihad Bitar, chief executive of Siren Analytics, a Beirut company that specialises in digital transformation, told The National. Lebanon faces a long road to economic recovery, with numerous constraints, Economy Minister Amer Bsat said at the conference. 'It's clear that we do not have a functioning banking sector capable of seizing emerging opportunities, including those in Syria,' he added. The downfall of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad in December and the lifting of western sanctions have renewed international investor interest in the country, although Beirut has not yet revived its historically close trade ties with Damascus. 'Our private sector is not competitive. We need to lower the cost of production, particularly electricity,' Mr Bsat added. He also pointed to the country's challenging business environment. 'Today, it takes just two hours to open a company in London. In Lebanon, the relationship between the private and public sectors is not sound,' he said. 'One of the solutions is digitalisation. The implementation of e-government can help streamline procedures and facilitate interaction with the state."
LBCI
03-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
President Joseph Aoun calls for bold digital transformation at tech forum
President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday called for Lebanon to fully embrace digital transformation, saying the country can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines of modernity. Speaking at the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, Aoun said, 'I came here today to call for digitization in Lebanon to become a forward-looking vision for the good of all. We've made our decision — it's no longer acceptable to remain outside the digital age or stuck on the margins of progress.' He stressed that the goal of a smart government is to serve every citizen, adding, 'We want Lebanon to open up to regional and international partnerships and become a qualified destination for foreign investment.' Highlighting a key challenge, Aoun noted, 'In Lebanon, we have many statistics but little digitization. Let's correct that imbalance so our country can reclaim its standing as a key player and together build a digital republic.'
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah welcomes high-level Korean delegation to boost cooperation in AI and digital transformation
Sharjah: The Emirate of Sharjah welcomed a high-level official delegation from the Seoul AI Foundation and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, in a strategic visit organised by Sharjah Digital Department (SDD). The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the UAE and South Korea in the realms of digital transformation and innovation. The delegation's visit focused on exploring avenues for deepening collaboration between SDD and the Seoul AI Foundation, with a particular emphasis on future partnership opportunities in artificial intelligence and smart government services. During the visit, His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, welcomed the Korean delegation at a meeting held at the House of Wisdom. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Rashid Ali Al Ali, Director General of Sharjah Communications Technologies Authority, His Excellency Shin Donghyup, Consul of the Republic of Korea for Science and ICT in Dubai and Eng. Majid Almadhloum, Sharjah Digital Department Advisor. The visiting delegation included Ok-hyun Kang, General Director of the Digital City Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government; Jung Yoon Lee, External Relations Manager at the Digital Policy Division; Man Gi Kim, President of the Seoul AI Foundation (SAF); Seong Hwan Ju, Head of the AI Innovation & Business Division at SAF; and Boris J. Kim, Senior Manager of the Policy Cooperation Team at SAF. During the meeting, both parties discussed opportunities for collaboration on joint AI-driven projects, exchanged expertise in smart city development, and explored standout initiatives and best practices from both parties in digital transformation and digital infrastructure. His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi underscored the significance of the visit as a key milestone in establishing strategic partnerships with one of the world's leading cities in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He welcomed the opportunity to exchange insights, experiences, and expertise with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul AI Foundation, stating that such collaboration 'represents the most effective path toward achieving sustainable development that benefits our communities and aligns with our shared aspirations.' His Excellency expressed optimism that the visit would lay the groundwork for long-term collaboration between Sharjah and Seoul, opening the door to innovative projects and expanded opportunities in AI and smart city development. For his part, Man Gi Kim highlighted Sharjah's importance as a strategic partner in advanced technology sectors, stating: 'We regard Sharjah as one of Seoul's key partner cities in the field of digital and AI-driven urban innovation, and that is why we have extended an official invitation to Sharjah Digital Department to participate in Smart Life Week 2025 in Seoul. We trust this occasion will further solidify and elevate the longstanding relationship between the Seoul AI Foundation and Sharjah Digital Department into a more strategic and action-oriented collaboration.' Smart Life Week 2025 is recognised as one of Asia's premier innovation platforms and South Korea's leading technology events, underscoring the Korean delegation's acknowledgement of Sharjah's pioneering role in digital transformation. Following the meeting, the organising team guided the delegation on a field tour of key urban development sites across the emirate, including University City and the Aljada project. The tour showcased Sharjah's advanced smart infrastructure and urban planning efforts, forming the backbone of its ongoing digital transformation journey. The visit concluded at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), where the delegation explored cutting-edge research initiatives and smart labs driving innovation and entrepreneurship, most notably the SOI Lab, which focuses on artificial intelligence applications. This strategic visit reaffirms Sharjah's commitment to fostering global partnerships and elevating its international leadership in digital transformation, aligning with its vision to build a sustainable, innovative digital city.
