Issue 87: The UAE at 50
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. This week, we’re thinking about the next 50 years in the UAE – Mary Ames, Director of Strategy
THE BIG TAKE
The UAE at 50
Sometimes it can be hard to look back when the future is so bright. As we begin to mark the 50th birthday of the UAE’s founding, that’s the feeling one has. From humble beginnings, the UAE has transformed into a global powerhouse. With Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the forefront, the UAE is now a pillar of an entirely new global economy. What New York and London were to the Industrial Revolution, the UAE is to the knowledge revolution.
Taking the pulse: The global turbulence of the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has been nothing short of historic. Through it all, the UAE managed to react to the public health crisis and establish itself as a new beacon of activity in the post-pandemic landscape. It’s an encouraging transformation to consider in light of the golden jubilee that reveals how sage leadership and sustainable investments in infrastructure can produce a future society. While most of the world was in lockdown, the UAE carried out one of the world’s most efficient vaccination campaigns. At the same time, the Government was overhauling the visa system to attract a new class of digital nomads. The results are clear. More people than ever want to come to the UAE and be a part of its budding knowledge economy.
Putting people first: On visiting the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said that “it honors the early dreamers that built our nation and shines a light on the dreamers of today who are striving to ensure its future success.” As we celebrate the UAE’s golden jubilee, it’s vital to take Sheikh Mohamed’s words to heart and consider the truly remarkable people that make the UAE what it is today. With the hard work, determination, and vision of the Emirati people, the UAE would not be at the forefront of future technologies. For all the wise investments that have taken place over the last 50 years, the investment in the people of this nation has proven to be the most impactful. We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years will bring.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past.”
– Sheikh Zayed, Founder of the UAE
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
AI is a public good: Given the power and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to change the planet for the better, shouldn’t governments have a more significant role in safeguarding the technology? That’s the simple but complex question we investigated in this archived piece in Xische Reports. The development and use of AI technology are crucial for society, and it can’t be left to big tech giants alone. Moreover, the US government (and others like it) are missing an excellent opportunity to use AI for good across the public sector.
Stop worrying about productivity: Another week in the grand experiment of remote work. How are you holding up? Have you maintained productivity levels, or do you find those afternoon dips lasting longer and longer? Given the extraordinary events happening all around us, it's critical to focus on mental health during this period. We’ve been thinking about surefire steps you can take to keep your mental health on track. It all starts with unplugging. This week, we took a deep dive into one of the most important tricks of being under lockdown: learning to love boredom. It’s better than you think.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
Build a better world: COP26 is behind us, and we are still facing an unprecedented climate crisis. Instead of focusing on the size of the problem, maybe it’s time to visualize a better world. If we can’t imagine a better world, how are we going to build one? Writing in The Nation, Mary Annalise Heglar challenges us to rethink our approach to climate change by changing our perspectives on what our world should look like.
Who needs the beach? Considering your next luxury holiday? Instead of lounging on a pristine beach, many are finding relaxation by being abandoned in the desolate landscapes of Morocco. The New Yorker’s Ed Caesar went on one of these holidays to discover what’s driving this unusual travel craze.
QUICK HITS
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