RIYADH: Artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in the success of the UAE’s economic diversification plans, said Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber. During his visit to the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the UAE minister said that research in advanced technologies such as AI would help harness global opportunities and generate economic and social value, the state news agency WAM reported. “AI adoption across industries will help meet the nation’s goals in advancing technology and diversifying its economy,” said Al-Jaber. He added: “We stand on the brink of a technological revolution, and MBZUAI is providing a world-leading pipeline of AI specialists and an ecosystem nurturing industrial collaboration to support the UAE’s innovation trajectory.” Citing past projections, Al-Jaber noted that AI solutions will contribute an estimated $13 trillion to the global gross domestic product by 2030. Peng Xiao, the CEO of Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42, who was also present with the minister during the visit, said: “The UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing artificial intelligence and digital transformation is evident in a thriving academic institution like MBZUAI.” Al-Jaber, who is also the president-designate of the upcoming UN climate conference in Dubai, commonly referred to as COP28, added that systematic implementation of AI tools will help achieve UAE’s net-zero targets by 2050. “AI will contribute to the UAE’s net-zero strategic initiative by 2050 and help unlock advances in climate progress,” said Al-Jaber. He added that advanced technologies have the potential to increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions and ensure that economic growth and climate progress go hand in hand. COP28 in Dubai is happening when countries worldwide have set net-zero targets to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The upcoming conference scheduled between Nov. 30 and Dec. 12 would have a crucial significance in the energy transition of the Middle East and North Africa region spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, which is playing a vital role in turning the earth green through its flagship programs such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.