Dubai recently unveiled a state-of-the-art platform, backed by generative artificial intelligence, acting as a “digital city concierge.” This platform promises to deliver an array of services and information pertinent to the emirate’s inhabitants and visitors.

This groundbreaking initiative, now accessible via the dubai.ae website and the Dubai Now mobile app, resembles the ChatGPT model. It presents an interface proficient in addressing inquiries spanning 15 different sectors. These sectors encompass domains such as tourism, aviation, healthcare, entertainment, and education.

Positioned as a “unified, seamless channel,” there are plans for Dubai AI to branch out further into various sectors. This is envisioned with collaboration from both the public and private sectors. Matar Al Hemeiri, the head of the Digital Dubai Government Establishment under Digital Dubai, shared these details at the recent Dubai Assembly for Generative AI event.

Emphasizing that digital transformation isn’t foreign to Dubai, Al Hemeiri expressed that much remains to be accomplished. The invitation is open for partners to join hands and shape these applications collaboratively.

Dubai’s prowess in spearheading the deployment of smart services and regulatory frameworks is evident from its two-decade-long track record. The establishment of the Dubai Internet City in 2000 marked a significant milestone. This was augmented by the emirate’s forward-thinking eGovernment and smart services strategy, which later saw the introduction of the M Government in 2013.

Furthering this digital momentum, 2014 witnessed the inception of the Smart Dubai platform. This platform was instrumental in supervising pivotal technological advancements, incorporating elements like smart city infrastructure, blockchain, and data laws.

Efforts towards sustainability and efficiency were evident with the Paperless Dubai campaign launched in 2018. Its objective to transition governmental bodies to paper-free operations resulted in impressive savings – approximately Dh900 million ($245 million). The campaign further contributed to conserving around 39,000 trees by 2021.

In 2021, a specialized body, Digital Dubai, was instituted. Tasked with the responsibility of curating and supervising the execution of policies and strategies concerning IT, data, and digital transition within the emirate, it amalgamates the expertise of multiple Dubai-centric entities.

Adding to the digital narrative, the preceding year saw the UAE government rolling out its ambitious Digital Economy Strategy. The goal is clear: amplify the digital sector’s GDP contribution by a substantial margin over the coming decade.

In the global AI realm, ChatGPT by OpenAI, supported by Microsoft, garnered immense acclaim for its superior conversational proficiency. This led to intensified competition among tech giants and industry leaders, with names like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and Elon Musk making waves.

With the debut of Dubai AI, there’s a pronounced aim to revolutionize how governmental services are presented to the emirate’s populace. Moza Suwaidan, who leads the digital applications and platforms division at the Digital Dubai Government Establishment, envisions a future where the focus shifts more towards enabling and setting the right guidelines rather than solely administering services and systems.