Sharjah 24: In the presence of Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director General of the Department of e-Government in Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Digital Office, and Noor Al Noman, the Director of the Department, the "Future Forward" conference was organised this year by the Department of e-Government.
The event, held in collaboration with the Sharjah Digital Office and in partnership with the Gartner Foundation, unfolded over two days at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park.
The initial day featured discussions and workshops focused on various aspects of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. On the subsequent day, the Sharjah Digital Office conducted a range of workshops covering significant topics such as the implementation of blockchain technologies in government, smart contracts, and ethics of artificial intelligence. Additionally, a collaborative workshop was held between the Department of e-Government and the Sharjah Digital Office, catering specifically to technical staff.
Commencing the conference was a welcoming address by Noor Al Noman, the Director of the Department, stressing the significance of human culture, diversity, and social context in crafting culturally relevant and beneficial technologies. She underscored the human component in technology as an indispensable part of every phase in the technological life cycle.
The conference also included a joint dialogue session involving Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director General of the Department of e-Government in Sharjah, and Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Digital Office. During this session, the Director General discussed the rationale behind organising the conference in collaboration with the Sharjah Digital Office and the partnership with the Gartner Foundation. He highlighted its role in furnishing leaders, decision-makers, technical specialists, and researchers with distinctive insights into current and future trends within the technology domain.
Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi affirmed the Department of e-Government's commitment to consistently harnessing available resources on behalf of the government of Sharjah. The department prioritises adopting optimal practices in delivering services to governmental entities, underscoring its dedication and ongoing preparedness for innovation. This involves adapting to cutting-edge global technologies and communication methods.
During the interactive session, Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Director of Sharjah Digital Office, discusses the office's involvement in this year's "Future Forward" conference. He describes the event as a collaborative platform to align visions among government entities regarding technology and ongoing projects. Sheikh Saud sees this conference as a launchpad for progress in 2024, emphasising the human-centric approach of Sharjah's government services. The goal is to simplify access to government services and provide a comprehensive platform, enhancing the lives of citizens and residents. To achieve this, the office collaborates with the Department of Human Resources for the Government of Sharjah to attract skilled professionals in technology.
The conference's first day included presentations by Gartner experts, covering persuasive leadership, strategic expectations for 2024, and workshops on key technology trends, cybersecurity measures, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The second day featured joint workshops between the Department of e-Government and Sharjah Digital Office, focusing on blockchain technology application, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence ethics. The Cybersecurity Centre outlined its role in bolstering Sharjah's cyber-secure status globally and its support for initiatives, innovations, and future aspirations.
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