During the third Government Summit in Dubai

Hamdan bin Mohammed launches ‘UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good’

• US$1 million offered for winner of International Competition, National Competition winner to receive AED 1 million

Dubai, February 10, 2015: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, today said that the entire UAE is working together as one team to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who announced 2015 as the Year of Innovation. The country is united in its efforts to fulfil the action plan of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,  UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan added. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said this at the third Government Summit while announcing the ‘UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good’ offering a prize money of AED1 million at the national level and US$1 million at the international level of the competition. “The UAE’s journey in innovation is gaining  a national momentum every day. We are confident of our abilities and the vision of our leaders to achieving a leading position in the world in the field of innovation. Our goal is to harness science and technology to promote a better life for the people and enhance happiness in the communities,” H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan announced the award to generate the best ideas for the invention of robots that can serve humanity. The competition for the award is open to companies, universities and innovative individuals and professionals working in the field of this technology. His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, stressed the announcement of the ‘UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good as being in line with declaration of 2015 as Year of Innovation by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the National Innovation Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the personal initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “The award aims to honour the best application of robotics and artificial intelligence in the service of humanity with a focus on three key areas:  Education, Health and Social Services,” H.E. Al Gergawi said. H.E. Al Gergawi explained that the Sheikh Hamdan initiative comes as part of efforts to consolidate government support for innovation, as well as encourage inventors and scientists, thereby attracting the best ideas from around the world for harnessing the robotics and artificial intelligence technology to benefit people. H.E. Al Gergawi said the competition will be managed by a committee comprising specialists in robotics and artificial intelligence technology to assess the ideas and projects for the techniques used, efficiency and added value in saving time and effort for humanitarian and community services. H.E. Al Gergawi added: “The competing robots must be compliant with safety standards, incorporate latest technologies, and characterized by high reliability while assuring value-added services. The participants will propose the type of services that these technologies will provide, for instance in helping people with disabilities, treatment of patients, encouraging children in education, as well as complex tasks such as fire-fighting, construction work and social care. “ H.E. Al Gergawi explained that the procedural and technical details of the national and international competition of the award will be announced shortly. The winners of the award will be announced during the next Government Summit in February 2016. Registration can be done at: www.roboticsforgood.ae .