The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat has launched an initiative aimed at training over 5,000 employees in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, in collaboration with the Office of Artificial Intelligence, the Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, along with several leading tech firms specializing in AI.
The initiative is part of the UAE’s strategy for artificial intelligence 2031, focusing on enhancing and developing the skills of employees across various domains.
This includes clerical staff, imams, preachers, religious judges, and advisors, by improving their understanding of AI, learning opportunities with tools, and enhancing practical capabilities related to research and analysis.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, emphasized that the UAE government is actively exploring promising applications and technologies within the AI field across different government sectors.
He noted that capitalizing on its advanced capabilities will further boost efficiency, highlighting that the collaborative approach in developing the authority’s staff represents the integrated strategy of the government in ensuring ongoing development while adapting to rapid global changes, ultimately serving the community and improving quality of life.
He stated that future challenges driven by the rapid pace of technological advancements require high levels of readiness and effective investment in AI solutions across various fields to achieve optimal outcomes. The UAE government continues to solidify its leadership in anticipating the future of government work by adopting the latest technologies and keeping pace with global trends in this fast-evolving domain.
Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Dhari, President of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, emphasized the authority’s commitment to leveraging AI to enhance its objectives and deliver services to the community in a modern manner.
He mentioned that this initiative aims at sustainability in raising awareness and training employees in AI, a field that is constantly evolving, while providing a comprehensive understanding of AI and its applications aligned with national goals, and establishing a strong knowledge foundation for clerics regarding AI concepts and technologies.
This includes understanding the benefits and challenges related to utilizing AI in their clerical work and enhancing practical skills to benefit from AI tools. The partnership with the UAE Fatwa Council and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi plays a crucial role in maximizing the advantages of this initiative, aligning with shared objectives through continuous collaboration for advanced outcomes. Training components include an introduction to AI.
It will cover the state’s strategic directions and efforts in this domain, educating about its various applications in research, service provision, content creation, analysis, and supporting decision-making, with a hands-on focus on utilizing AI in Islamic affairs.
The initiative, developed in conjunction with major tech firms, aims to enhance awareness and knowledge of AI technologies among clerics, empowering them to use AI tools in their daily tasks, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of religious discourses and Islamic affairs initiatives. It also seeks to create a database on the knowledge levels of clerics to guide future training programs.
The first phase focuses on building purposeful partnerships with leading tech and training companies, followed by the second phase, which is aimed at enhancing knowledge, refining skills, and developing competencies to stay updated with the latest technological advancements and utilize them in supporting the digital transformation journey.