Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, has made it to the list of one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence by Time magazine. Omar Al Olama, 33, joins billionaire business moguls Elon Musk and Chat GPT creator Sam Altman on the list.
Omar Al Olama was appointed the world's first AI minister in 2017, and since then, he has been at the forefront of the UAE's developments in the field of advanced technology.
The Emirati minister is named in the ‘shaper’ category, and in an interview with Time, he said, “You need to have someone who sees AI and its application across the government with a holistic view and ensure that there is at least some sort of coordination between different bodies.”
Furthermore, he also posted a gratitude note on X, formerly known as Twitter and wrote, “Deeply honoured to be featured in @TIME’s list of 100 Most Influential People in #AI. It’s a testament to our the UAE’s strides in the AI sector and our commitment to innovation.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, lauded Omar Al Olama's achievements.
He posted on X saying, “Omar Sultan Al Olama, the world’s first Minister of Artificial Intelligence’, has been recognised on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the field of artificial intelligence. I am proud of every Emirati, who contributes to raising the country’s profile globally with their excellence and diligent work."