On Wednesday, the UAE’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Omar Sultan Al Olama, expressed concerns regarding the potential pitfalls of excessive regulation on the technology, emphasizing that the country aspires to be a center for AI innovation rather than merely a regulatory body.
“Governments must implement regulations to protect individuals and harness the full potential of artificial intelligence. I advocate for necessary regulations, but we must avoid excessive control as we advance,” stated Al Olama, who also serves as Director General of the UAE Prime Minister’s Office.
During his address, Al Olama shared insights from past experiences, referencing the over-regulation encountered in the UK automotive sector during the 1800s.
“The initial regulation concerning vehicles, known as the Locomotives on the Roads Act, emerged in the UK in the mid-1800s. At the time, this regulation seemed progressive, designed to ensure roadway safety. It mandated that every vehicle have three drivers, along with a person walking ahead waving a red flag to alert others of its presence. This was considered a proper method of governance back then,” he explained.
“However, looking back, we recognize the absurdity of that regulation. Why require three drivers? And if vehicles were limited to the speed of someone walking in front, what was the purpose of having them at all?” he pondered.
In his opening remarks at the Dubai AI Festival, Al Olama pointed out that contemporary discussions regarding regulation often lean towards unnecessary restrictions aimed at preventing harm from AI.
The minister also referenced a thought shared by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, which remains relevant in the context of AI.
“In Africa, every morning, a lion rises, aware that if it doesn’t outrun the slowest gazelle, it risks starvation. Conversely, a gazelle wakes up knowing it must be faster than the quickest lion to avoid being preyed upon. In the landscape of AI, it matters not whether you are a lion or a gazelle. With the dawn, one must strive to innovate; otherwise, you will be left behind,” Al Olama quoted the Dubai Ruler.