Abu dhabi: The UAE, Malaysia, and Rwanda have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at boosting AI adoption in the Global South. This collaboration is part of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) global network, focusing on promoting ethics and governance in AI to benefit societies and economies in the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, the countries have formalized their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement expands the scope of the C4IR AI Fellowship Programme, which was initially a joint effort between the UAE and Rwanda, established at the 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos. The programme serves as a knowledge exchange platform connecting leaders, innovators, and experts in the AI sector.
With Malaysia now included, the partnership aims to foster international cooperation to support sustainable development through AI. This initiative will facilitate talent exchange, joint projects, and coordinated development of AI governance frameworks led by nations in the Global South.
The new agreement was witnessed by key figures, including Omar Al Olama, UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital. Singh Deo emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to the partnership, highlighting the goal of bridging global AI expertise to accelerate digital transformation.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, stated that the partnership will help the Global South unlock greater value from AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications. Meanwhile, Aytug Goksu from C4IR Network and the World Economic Forum lauded the MoU as a significant milestone in harnessing AI’s transformative power.
Crystal Rugege, Managing Director of the Rwanda Centre for the 4th Industrial Revolution, expressed enthusiasm for deepening engagement within the global C4IR network. She highlighted the strategic partnership’s role in enhancing research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building, aiming to empower Rwanda and other partner countries to leverage AI for sustainable development.
The UAE’s C4IR, launched in 2019 in partnership with the WEF, has played a crucial role in facilitating global collaboration and exchange. The Global Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network strives to maximize technological benefits while minimizing risks, exploring exponential technologies, and promoting their responsible adoption.