HCT Sharjah hosts strategic panel on AI and innovation in government transformation

The Higher Colleges of Technology convened government leaders and sector experts to explore how artificial intelligence, innovation and sustainability can advance the UAE's 2031 vision.

The Higher Colleges of Technology hosted a strategic panel discussion at its Sharjah campus exploring the transformative potential of innovation, sustainability and artificial intelligence in reshaping government work and supporting the national “We the UAE 2031” vision.

Entitled “Building a forward-thinking government: innovation, sustainability and AI in achieving We the UAE 2031 vision”, the session brought together prominent government leaders and sector experts to examine future government models and the national capabilities essential for navigating rapid technological and environmental change.

The discussion encompassed four principal themes: innovation as a catalyst for government transformation, integrating sustainability into government policies and services, leveraging AI to construct the Government of the Future, and developing the competencies and preparedness required for tomorrow’s challenges.

Key speakers included Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; Amal Abdelrahim, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Support Services Sector and Chief AI and Innovation Officer at the Ministry; Hamed Al Jneibi, Animal Wealth Support Programmes Division Director at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority; and Mohammad Al Breiki, Head of the Reference Laboratory Section at the Authority. Sultan Al Baharani, Relationship Manager at Emirates NBD and an HCT alumnus, moderated the discussion.

Panellists emphasised the critical importance of deploying AI responsibly and safely, cultivating national competencies, and fostering continuous education and training to address technological, economic and environmental transformation. Hassan Al Mheiri, Executive Director of HCT Sharjah, noted that convening the session reflected the institution’s commitment to strengthening dialogue on progressive governance by assembling experts across sectors to deliberate on artificial intelligence, sustainability and future strategy.

Al Nuaimi highlighted that successful government transformation depends not solely on technological advancement but equally on nurturing Emirati talent capable of continuous learning, data analysis, anticipatory thinking and understanding the interconnections between climate, food security, biodiversity, economic prosperity and quality of life. He emphasised that achieving these objectives requires sustained collaboration between government, educational institutions and the private sector to develop distinctly Emirati solutions and translate knowledge into policies, services and initiatives delivering tangible, sustainable impact.

Source: WAM