Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, the Chairman of the Cybersecurity Council for the Government of the United Arab Emirates, has stated that the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity is a critical factor in enhancing the protection of the state and its community against increasing digital threats.

These include data theft, cyber fraud, deepfakes, and misinformation campaigns.

Al Kuwaiti explained that the Cybersecurity Council is tasked with monitoring these threats and managing their potential repercussions to ensure they do not adversely affect the nation’s security, economy, or its institutions and citizens.

He highlighted a recently popular application of AI technologies involving the transformation of personal images into cartoon drawings, cautioning about hidden risks associated with such uses, particularly concerning the collection of personal data from users without their awareness, which may expose them to potential privacy violations.

The Cybersecurity Council, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is working to enhance a secure digital environment within the country.

This includes active participation in regional and international events, launching initiatives to evaluate AI tools, and ensuring necessary protections for individual privacy.

There is also a growing focus on community awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of data protection.

Al Kuwaiti emphasized that AI represents a driving force towards a more efficient and advanced future; however, the sustainability of this success is tied to how challenges related to digital security and data privacy are managed.

He urged individuals to adopt preventive practices to safeguard their data, while also stressing that governmental bodies have the responsibility to enforce cybersecurity standards and ensure compliance.

He further asserted the importance of developers adhering to high standards of transparency and responsible practices that protect user rights.

Finding a balance between innovation and digital security is essential, necessitating collaborative efforts among individuals, institutions, and developers to ensure a secure and reliable digital future.

In remarks on international partnerships, Al Kuwaiti noted that AI signifies a fundamental shift in contemporary lifestyles, serving as a core pillar propelling development towards a more advanced and efficient future.

He indicated that the UAE is determined to strengthen its global position as a leading center in the field of AI, in line with its leadership’s vision to be among the most advanced nations in this vital area.

This vision is materializing through enhanced investments in advanced technologies and broadening the horizons for innovation to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future.

The nation has established solid international partnerships in this sector, highlighted by the recent visit of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, to the United States, which included meetings with major companies and American officials.

The goal of the visit was to explore cooperation opportunities in modern technology and AI sectors to bolster comprehensive development by thoughtfully expanding the use of these advanced technologies and the qualitative potentials they offer.

State institutions are actively working to position the UAE as a global destination for AI technologies by attracting specialized talents and influential experts in this critical sector, which is a central element of sustainable development.

The UAE has also launched various research centers and initiatives aimed at supporting this sector and fostering a fertile environment for innovation through integrating AI technologies across various vital sectors, as part of building a comprehensive digital economy.

Under the National AI Strategy 2031, investments are projected to be in the billions, targeting the establishment of strong national capabilities and enhancing research and development in vital sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and transport.

This initiative is expected to contribute to operational efficiency, performance improvement, and the expansion of innovation at a national level.

As global interest in AI technologies surges, tools that create images inspired by Studio Ghibli through the 'ChatGPT' platform have gained immense popularity among users, significantly increasing the user base.

Recent reports indicate that the number of active weekly users has surpassed 150 million.

In this context, technology expert Mohammed Khaled Al Shamsi, founder of the ‘Cybernet’ training platform and a partner at the UAE AI Camp, warned of the increasing risks associated with using AI tools that rely on image processing.

He confirmed that users unknowingly contribute their personal data to these systems when they engage with features that appear entertaining, highlighting that these tools not only present modified images but also analyze their components and store them in databases used later for training smart models and improving their performance.

Al Shamsi noted the necessity for more cautious interactions with these tools, especially as default settings in many applications allow for the use of images and personal data for system development purposes without direct user notification.

Should platforms suffer from security breaches or data leaks, there is a risk that those images could end up in the hands of untrustworthy parties, potentially leading to unethical exploitation.

Discussing technological advancements and data analysis from images, he pointed out the precise capabilities offered by the ‘Galaxy AI’ tools available to Android users, which can reconstruct hidden parts of images, including incomplete facial features, with an accuracy exceeding 90%.

Al Shamsi further stated that while these advanced algorithms possess remarkable capabilities, they may open avenues for misuse, especially if exploited beyond ethical boundaries.

He underscored the importance of regularly reviewing privacy settings across various digital applications and platforms supported by AI, noting that certain options concerning data usage are often activated by default and require manual deactivation by the user.

Emphasizing that digital awareness has become essential in light of the rapid technological evolution.