On the opening day of GITEX Global 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Sharjah Government Pavilion welcomed dignitaries and international guests to explore innovative technologies presented by 13 government entities. Under the theme “Towards a Sustainable Digital Future,” the pavilion showcased advancements aimed at enhancing government services.
These initiatives leverage advanced technologies, including virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and space technology, to improve quality of life and efficiency in digital services. The Sharjah Government aims to set a benchmark for smart, sustainable services, positioning the emirate as a leader in technology and innovation.
Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Sharjah Government Pavilion at GITEX 2024 and Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department, welcomed a distinguished group of dignitaries, including Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the UAE Media Council; Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement in Abu Dhabi; Issa bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Azri, Secretary General of the Supreme Judicial Council in Oman; Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Land Department. Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company “du;” Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Issa Yousef, Director General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority; Dr. Abdullah Khalaf Al Hosani, Secretary General of the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah; Mohammed Juma Al Musharrakh, Executive Director of the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah); Sarah Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre “Sheraa”; and many other officials and visitors.
The Sharjah Digital Department presented the “Cyber Resilience” project, a versatile solution designed to strengthen cybersecurity in complex digital environments. Utilising artificial intelligence, the project can rapidly analyse vast amounts of data and detect potential cybersecurity threats before they escalate into attacks. The system automates and monitors tasks efficiently, offering a comprehensive overview of data correlations to support proactive and defensive strategies against emerging cyber threats. This enhances the capacity to respond to such threats swiftly and effectively, fostering a safe and sustainable environment for both businesses and government institutions.
The pavilion showcased the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, which unveiled its new “Geographic Archaeological Information System.” This integrated electronic system offers comprehensive information about archaeological sites in the Emirate of Sharjah. It enables accurate identification of excavation sites and monitors work stages using advanced technologies such as satellite, laser, and 3D imaging.
During the launch, Issa Yousuf, Director General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, emphasised that these advanced technologies are key components of the latest artificial intelligence tools designed to process and analyse geographic data with high precision. This capability enables researchers to make informed scientific decisions based on real-time, accurate information. He noted that the system maintains detailed records for each archaeological site, documenting discovered artifacts and relevant data from scientific studies. This enhances the role of technology in protecting and documenting cultural heritage in a modern and sustainable way.
As part of its commitment to promoting sustainability in the tourism sector, Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, introduced the “Smart Assistant for Sustainable Tourism.” This innovative tool leverages conversational artificial intelligence to enhance the sustainable tourism experience in the Emirate of Sharjah.
This launch is part of the second phase of the “Sharjah Sustainability” project. The smart assistant is designed to provide easy access to a comprehensive database on sustainable tourism and available resources, responding instantly and accurately to user inquiries. Functioning as an advanced chatbot, the “Smart Assistant” enables tourists and visitors to access detailed information about sustainable tourism and hospitality in the emirate, including exclusive data from the “Sharjah Sustainability” platform. This initiative reinforces Sharjah’s status as a leading destination for responsible and sustainable tourism.
Sharjah Media City “Shams” participated with the “Create with Shams” platform, an advanced platform that uses artificial intelligence technologies to enable users to produce professional media content. The platform relies on the power of the integrated graphics card in computers to enhance processing and efficiency, which shows the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence in the media content industry.
The integration of artificial intelligence in content editing and production represents a significant advancement in the field. It enhances creative processes and improves content quality by leveraging deep learning and natural language processing technologies.
These initiatives underscore Sharjah’s commitment to digital transformation and innovation across various sectors, aligning with global technological advancements.