Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD) has signed service agreements with government entities in Abu Dhabi to strengthen data collaboration and provide statistical analyses using artificial intelligence (AI) applications and simulation models that can achieve efficient management of resources in Abu Dhabi.

Under the agreements, the entities will get access to the SCAD's Insights and Foresights Platform (IFP), which was launched last year under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office (ADEO). The platform provides analyses and statistical forecasts that are essential for Abu Dhabi’s development plans and strategies.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of GITEX Global 2022, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre that began on 10th October and concludes on 14th October, 2022.

The Abu Dhabi government showcased more than 100 projects and initiatives at GITEX Global 2022 to highlight achievements of the digital transformation journey in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Ahmed Mahmoud Fikri, Director-General of SCAD, said, “SCAD helps decision-makers and policymakers predict the results of development strategies through models that simulate the future of economic and social sectors in Abu Dhabi. The ability to predict the results will directly enhance the efficiency of the strategic plans and programmes in the emirate. In this context, the government-to-government partnerships are an important step towards full integration in data analysis and AI applications to develop a statistical ecosystem that can contribute to improving government services and the quality of life.”

Fahad Salem Al Kayyoomi, Under-Secretary of the Department of Government Support (DGS), said, “This pioneering initiative will provide government entities with data and statistical insights depending on advanced simulation models and technologies. The insights would support the mechanism of setting policies and development plans and follow-up their impact. The provided data will enhance the quality and efficiency of government services through a culture of flexibility and innovation towards an ideal digital future.”

Abdulla Al Sahi, Under-Secretary of Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), said, “Signing the service level agreement with the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi to utilise the Insights and Foresights Platform (IFP) is a new step towards exchanging experiences and employing data-based evidence in all essential sectors, including integrated transportation, real estate, and infrastructure to improve the quality of life and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as the world's best destination to live, work, and visit."

Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Under-Secretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said, “This cooperation with SCAD comes at a crucial stage of the transition process in the energy sector in the capital. We continue to launch new policies and initiatives to accelerate the pace of transition towards clean and renewable energy resources. The Insights and Foresights platform is a key tool that will harness AI technology to support the policy-making process and predict the impact of upcoming policies on various economic and social sectors. This will enhance our ability to make informed decisions and anticipate the impact on various energy sector components.”

Al Rumaithi added, “We aim to support and consolidate existing strategic partnerships between the Department of Energy and other government and federal entities through this agreement. This cooperation will support our joint work and help us develop areas for exchanging statistical information in a way that meets the needs of both entities and achieves common goals.”

He further pointed out that the energy sector is one of the most vital sectors in the emirate and is considered a pillar within the smart transitioning system based on the importance of its services and the role it plays in supporting the comprehensive development process in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), said, “The agreement reflects overall support to the establishment of the data-based ecosystem. It is an opportunity to enhance cooperation between government entities and partners, to maximise the use of data to inform the decision-making process and to build a fully digital future in which data is one of the most important and most valuable assets.”

Amal Nasser Al Jabri, the Director-General of Human Resources Authority (HRA), said, “Benefitting from AI techniques in establishing and providing advanced digital government services has a major impact on the HRA plans to develop skills of emirati talents and Abu Dhabi government employees. The platform will help us keep pace with the requirements of the labour market. Accurate statistics are an important tool to identify opportunities and to achieve the community development goals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi."

Khalaf Abdulla Rahma Al Hammadi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, said, “Abu Dhabi Pension Fund signed the agreement with SCAD to achieve common strategic goals and integration of government services. We are keen on supporting all efforts and initiatives to accelerate government procedures and use modern technologies and AI in data processing and accessing enhanced government services.”

He added, “The fund will continue its efforts to ensure integration with partners to facilitate procedures that require joint efforts and the provision of government data to support the decision-making process and future planning.”

Dr Mohamed Rashed Al Hameli, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA), said, “The agreement reflects the integrated strategic relationship between all government entities in Abu Dhabi. It is part of ADHA and SCAD efforts to establish the pillars of cooperation through a digital platform to inform the decision-making process at ADHA based on the wise leadership’s directions of serving the Emirati people as the focus of the development objectives in the UAE."

He added, "The agreement is a step towards achieving a qualitative leap in providing information that supports the development of quality services and simple procedures to obtain the housing benefits most comfortably and easily.”

Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director-General of the General Administration of Customs, said, “The agreement with the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi comes within the framework of the two parties' keenness to boost cooperation and maintain alignment on common strategic goals.

“The Insights and Foresights Platform (IFP) has a significant role in supporting the decision-making process with reliable data, in-depth analysis and research contributing to the improvement of the work environment.”

“This would enhance customer satisfaction and service quality while giving the needed support towards achieving the Abu Dhabi Customs’ vision as a world model that can maintain security, facilitate trading and provide distinguished services," he added.

In this context, Mazen Jaber Al Dahmani, Executive Director of Financial and Administrator Affairs at the Department of Community Development (DCD), said, "We signed the agreement to ensure a positive change in society by accessing accurate statistics and data and ensuring the effectiveness of government decisions and policies. The DCD is working closely with partners from the government sector to achieve its vision of providing a decent life for all members of the society in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi."

Saeed Al Fazari, Strategic Affairs Executive Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “We are pleased to sign this agreement with the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi, which gives us access to its Insights and Foresights platform’s resources, reports, and statistics. This will help us achieve our mutual strategic goals and support the planning and decision-making process, the development of studies and research, and foresight into the future. This agreement lays a solid basis for strengthening our sustainable partnership with the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi and other government entities in the emirate while consolidating the cooperation frameworks in data and statistical report exchange and enabling of AI solutions.”

IFP employs the most cutting-edge AI technologies to analyse data from different sources to build statistical studies using interactive dashboards and self-learning models that can mimic sector-specific changes and suggest proactive decisions that account for these changes at all levels.

During its participation in the "GITEX Global 2022" under the theme "Leading the Digital Future," SCAD exhibited several solutions and projects developed to enhance Abu Dhabi's digital infrastructure. These projects include the Insights and Foresights Platform.

As part of the efforts to develop an integrated statistical ecosystem, the SCAD's Statistical Training Institute (STI) participated with a list of training programmes designed to train government employees and professional statisticians and build their statistical capabilities, to accomplish the emirate's strategic goals for the digital future.