Abu Dhabi Hosts Second Annual Hili Forum
The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, in collaboration with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, concluded the second annual Hili Forum yesterday. The event spanned two days and was themed around “Resetting the International System: Trade, Technology, and Governance.”
The forum brought together a distinguished group of leaders, experts, and diplomats from around the globe, emphasizing the UAE’s pivotal role in developing practical strategies to address rapidly evolving global challenges.
Key Discussions on Geotechnology
The final day of the forum featured a principal session alongside several concurrent discussions that focused on the third main topic: geotechnology. Participants explored the impacts of transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics on global power dynamics, national security, and economic competitiveness, as well as their implications for international relations.
Discussions highlighted that while technological advancements present opportunities, they also come with shared responsibilities to ensure these tools are utilized for global development and stability.
UAE as a Leader in AI
Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the Cybersecurity Council for the UAE government, stated on the sidelines of the forum that the UAE is currently a leading nation in artificial intelligence, thanks to the vision of its leadership. He remarked, “By hosting forums like this, we are looking towards the future. We have been able to keep pace with technology in today’s era of industrial revolutions.”
Al Kuwaiti noted that artificial intelligence will significantly alter many policies, emphasizing that people are the first line of defense and that it is vital to foster loyalty and enhance a culture of cybersecurity.
During one of the forum sessions, he expressed that the UAE is on a path to becoming a leader in AI, where technology will become an essential part of daily life and a fundamental component of all operations.
He elaborated that the national cybersecurity strategy is built on several pillars, including governance through policies and legislation, a flexible approach fostering partnerships between public and private sectors, innovation, and training for skill enhancement and protection missions.
Technology Integration in National Defense
Dr. Nasser Hamid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Council for Defense Empowerment, remarked that technology has evolved into an integral part of daily life, impacting everything from communication and trade to how nations protect themselves.
He added that artificial intelligence has broadened traditional domains (air, sea, land) by introducing new fields such as outer space and cybersecurity, asserting that cybersecurity will redefine the contours of the 21st century.
AI as an Enhancement Tool
Dr. Rashid Al Mansouri, Director of the Legislation Laboratory at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, affirmed that the UAE aims to harness artificial intelligence in legislative processes, stressing that AI should remain a tool to enhance work rather than an independent thinking entity.
He pointed out that there are means to improve decision-making by leveraging technology and advocated for an international binding agreement with effective mechanisms to better integrate AI into warfare and security systems.
In this context, Khalid Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Federal Youth Foundation of the UAE, noted that the impact of technology continues to grow across various sectors, with effects of artificial intelligence extending to future generations while stressing the importance of preserving values and culture amid these changes.
Navigating Challenges Responsibly
Dr. Said Al Dhaheri, Director of the Center for Future Studies at Dubai University, highlighted that the real challenge lies not in the disruptions caused by AI technology, but in how to responsibly and wisely navigate this challenge.
Ahmad Al Shamsi, CEO of Y71 and founder of the AQM+ program, noted that while AI has had a significant impact on society, the focus should remain on the human aspect, which must adapt thoughtfully to these changes.
Wahida Al Habri, Creative Industries Consultant, pointed out that AI has become an essential collaborator regardless of personal feelings towards it, while James Morris, Head of the Rabdan Academy, emphasized that security in the era of geotechnological transformations extends beyond national borders, involving the protection of individuals and values, as threats infiltrate cybersecurity domains and data centers.
UAE’s Commitment to Leading R&D
Dr. Huda Al Khazimi, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at NYU Abu Dhabi, asserted that the UAE has established itself as a leader in research and development, investing in funds like SoftBank, and is focused on building capabilities that serve national security and international priorities.
She added that the UAE plays a role in stimulating the economies of 80 countries worldwide, is committed to enhancing its own technologies, leads in the fields of artificial intelligence and computing technology, and offers assistance to nations lacking technological development capabilities, particularly in Central Europe and Africa.