As part of its commitment to enhancing the future skills of its workforce, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai organized a lecture titled “Enhancing and Reshaping Workforce Skills in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” presented by His Excellency Dr. Said Khalfan Al-Dhaheri, Director of the Center for Future Studies at the Dubai university.
During the lecture, Dr. Al-Dhaheri discussed the major transformations occurring in the labor market due to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies. He pointed out various topics, including the diverse applications of AI technology at both individual and collective levels, and its immense potential in processing and analyzing data, as well as solving problems at speeds that surpass human capability.
Dr. Al-Dhaheri emphasized that the current global trend focuses on attracting individuals skilled in using these technologies and reshaping them. He highlighted the importance of upskilling the current workforce to master such advanced skills through continuous training, noting that the future will demand constant updates to these skills as they become outdated over time, in order to keep pace with the rapid developments of the era.
He also stressed that these changes do not signify job losses; rather, they require proficiency in mastering the most updated skills, with a need for precision in the outputs of this technology and ensuring their accuracy. AI can be seen as a complementary tool to human intelligence, not a replacement. The integration of artificial intelligence with human thinking can enhance performance and productivity across various sectors.
The lecture concluded with recommendations and proposed policies in this field, including the continuous development of government strategies and encouragement for lifelong learning. There is also a need to identify gaps and challenges in this area, increase budgets for training on these technologies, and establish centers dedicated to artificial intelligence systems.
Dr. Al-Dhaheri affirmed at the end of his remarks that despite the vast capabilities of artificial intelligence in processing enormous amounts of data and making precise decisions based on that data, it lacks the ability for empathy, deep critical thinking, and unexpected creative innovation that characterize the human mind.