Abu Dhabi and Dubai Have Potential to Achieve Advanced Smart City Status

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are well-positioned to become advanced full-fledged smart cities, said a leading researcher at the Institute for Technology Innovation.

Both emirates have launched programmes related to research and development of the sixth generation of wireless networks, which are attracting leading players around the world, said Thierry Lestable, executive director of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Science Research Centre at Abu Dhabi's TII.

In an interview with The National at the inaugural 6G Summit in Abu Dhabi, he said both emirates are "perfect playground in terms of the infrastructure being built … and they have innovative ecosystems of people and industries who share the same vision and are deploying these technologies for the benefit of society."

In the global Smart Cities Index, Abu Dhabi is already ranked 28th, thereby leading other Middle Eastern cities, while Dubai is ranked 29th.

Abu Dhabi is already piloting drone delivery programmes, and this month autonomous minibus taxis are expected to be used for the first time at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

For its part, an intelligent traffic management system has been launched in Dubai. It helps to reduce traffic congestion and emergency response times.

Among Middle Eastern countries, the UAE has been ranked first in the Global Innovation Index 2021, cementing its status as one of the world's leading countries for the introduction of cutting-edge technology.

It is reported that total foreign direct investment in the UAE in 2021 was $20.7 billion and in the first half of 2022 the inflow of investment in Dubai was $3.74 billion for 492 projects, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism said.

The UAE is becoming a leader in the adoption of 6G technology, which will give high speed and efficiency compared to 5G technology. It is expected to extend the capabilities of today's 5G networks by 100 times.