< PreviousHow digital trust can power a connected, intelligent future In an exclusive interview with Jawad Abbassi, Head of MENA, GSMA, we explore the fundamental role of cybersecurity in fostering trust in our connected world By Adelle Geronimo CONNECTIVITY interviewedge_ july 2023 41 interview C onnectivity has become an essential part of society, serving as a conduit for information, interaction, self-expression and personal connections across the world. It has evolved from a luxury to a necessity, emerging as the bedrock upon which digital transformation is built. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, access to reliable and high-speed internet has become an essential requirement for individuals, businesses, and entire societies. Connectivity serves as the driving force behind the expansion of the digital realm, pushing its boundaries and redefining the possibilities that lie within it. With the ability to connect devices, systems, and individuals in real time, the internet has unlocked a world of unprecedented opportunities and services that have enabled the digital landscape to flourish. Crucially, as the digital world expands, so does the need for digital trust. As Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of UAE Cyber Security Council mentioned in the opening ceremony of the summit, ‘We need to follow those standards, those governing policies, those procedures, and even a simple hygiene that we can take in our daily life, in order to protect us, to protect our loved ones, to protect our critical transactions as well as efficiencies of such quality of service that we see.’ Unfortunately, today, not everyone is equal when it comes to access to reliable connectivity. In various parts of the world, the lack of connectivity and limited internet access pose significant challenges and hinder social and economic progress. “In some markets, there is a significant presence of high fibre Internet penetration, along with early adopters of 5G technology and extensive handset usage. Conversely, other markets still face limitations in Internet access, these markets often rely on 2G or 3G cellular networks and have yet Jawad Abbassi,Head of MENA, GSMA42 edge_ july 2023 interview to adopt 4G technology,” explains Jawad Abbassi, Head of MENA, GSMA. Despite this, a recent study by GSMA noted that lack of coverage is no longer the main challenge to digital inclusion. The report revealed that mobile broadband connectivity now reaches 95 percent of the global population, connecting approximately 55 percent of the world›s population to the mobile internet. “The issue of infrastructure has largely been addressed globally, as reliable cellular or mobile internet networks cover the majority of the global population,” says Abbassi. “However, 3.2 billion residing within the coverage area but not utilising the services. Therefore, the challenge lies not in infrastructure, but rather in factors such as affordability of services and handsets, digital skills, and cultural barriers. This is called the ‘usage gap’, which is a by- product of these combined factors and represents a significant problem worldwide.” The usage gap refers to the disparity between those who have access to the internet but do not utilise it. This gap hampers individuals from reaching their full economic and social potential, limiting their opportunities. “Addressing the usage gap is crucial as it holds immense economic and social benefits for everyone involved,” says Abbassi. “For instance, individuals with access to banking services tend to fare better economically compared to those without. Similarly, small merchants who embrace mobile money platforms can enhance their business prospects compared to those relying solely on cash transactions. Bridging the usage gap would unlock these advantages, benefiting society as a whole.” According to Abbassi, addressing the usage gap and driving wider adoption of internet services require a collaborative effort between telecom players and governments. By implementing a range of measures, progress can be made. “First and foremost, education and skilling programmes need to be put in place to empower users with the digital skills necessary to make the most of internet services,” he explains. “Another solution is ensuring the affordability of services. This can be achieved through fair spectrum pricing, which reduces costs for operators and, in turn, lowers service costs for end users.” Furthermore, Abbassi highlights that the digitisation of government services serves as a strong driver for increased internet usage. “When government services are made available online, there is a strong incentive for people to engage with digital platforms,” he explains. Closing the usage gap plays a pivotal role in enabling digital trust. When more individuals have access to and actively engage with digital technologies, it promotes a sense of inclusivity and participation in the digital ecosystem. This increased participation fosters familiarity and understanding of digital platforms and services, leading to greater confidence and trust in their use. As we strive to address the usage gap, it is also pertinent to consider cybersecurity. After all, digital trust is the ultimate goal of cybersecurity. “Ensuring cybersecurity plays a vital role in fostering digital trust,” says Abbassi. “Individuals Digital trust The convergence of 5G, IoT and big data will pave way for enhanced digitalisation 95% The percentage of the global population that have mobile broadband connectivity Source: GSMAedge_ july 2023 43 interview who are new to the internet may lack the necessary security skills and awareness. For instance, they may unknowingly click on unknown links or fall for phishing emails. Therefore, as we bridge the usage gap, prioritising security becomes crucial.” Abbassi emphasises that governments, organisations, and individuals all have a crucial role to play in upholding these standards. “Governments hold the responsibility of establishing comprehensive legal frameworks and regulations that govern cybersecurity. Data laws and regulations ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of people›s privacy rights. By enforcing these standards, governments create an environment that fosters trust and confidence in the digital landscape,” says Abbassi. He adds, “From GSMA’s perspective, collaboration and adherence to standards are key considerations. We also have set frameworks in place, such as the GSMA Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS), which aims to enhance the security standards of network equipment in the mobile industry. It aims to instill greater confidence and trust in mobile network equipment by facilitating improvements in product security levels. In network operational level, GSMA developed 5G Knowledge Base, an industry effort that composes a comprehensive threat landscape designed to help key stakeholders (such as MNOs, equipment vendors, regulators, application developers and service providers) understand the security threats posed by 5G networks in a systematic and objective fashion. At an operational level, the Knowledge Base offers clear instructions for taking step-by-step actions to build security assurance while considering the entire risk spectrum of 5G end-to-end networks.” Moreover, fostering a secure digital ecosystem requires collective efforts beyond the realm of governments and organisations, according to Abbassi. He notes that individuals, too, hold a vital responsibility in ensuring cybersecurity. “User education and awareness are essential in mitigating security risks. Educating people about the potential pitfalls of online usage, such as phishing attacks or social engineering, empowers them to make informed decisions and adopt secure online behaviours,” he says. Looking ahead, Abbassi points to the convergence of 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data as the key trends that will further drive the digital landscape and have a significant impact on digital trust. “All these trends coming together will give rise to the ‘Intelligent Connectivity era,’ where everyone can have access to lightning-fast speeds with minimal latency, and 5G networks provide highly reliable connectivity. Operators can effectively segment the network, further enhancing its capabilities. This fusion of technologies, coupled with lightning-fast speeds and minimal latency, and highly reliable 5G connectivity will unlock a wide array of innovative services. Drones, autonomous vehicles, and advanced transport systems will play a significant role in this transformative era, ushering in a new wave of possibilities and opportunities.” As we navigate the vast landscape of the connected, intelligent world, it is clear that cybersecurity and trust are the cornerstones upon which our digital future relies. By prioritising cybersecurity measures, fostering digital trust, and embracing the transformative power of connectivity, we can unlock a future where innovation and inclusivity flourish. “Governments hold the responsibility of establishing comprehensive legal frameworks and regulations that govern cybersecurity” Usage gap There remains a discrepancy between those who have access to the internet but fail to utilise it44 edge_ july 2023 opinion I ’m fascinated and immensely proud of the UAE’s strong leadership in the technology sector. From the early days of oil and gas exploration to AI-powered self-driving taxis, growing crops in the desert, the hyperloop and cloud seeding, there’s always something in the global press regarding another bold UAE technological leap. As a small, lean and affluent nation, it’s no surprise, perhaps, that we have taken some ambitious steps towards making the UAE a digital-first nation, with a young, tech-savvy population keen to embrace all the latest technology. Innovation and technology surround us every day. From the technological wonder of the Burj Khalifa to the Mars mission, it’s no wonder we have a population that believes anything is possible. Against this backdrop, then, it’s also not surprising to discover that the UAE appointed the world’s first AI minister, Omar Sultan Al Olama, who you could argue has the world’s coolest job. And we also have an AI strategy, launched way back in 2017 - which lays out the route to becoming one of the leading nations in AI by 2031. The strategy aims to create new economic, educational, and social opportunities for citizens, governments and businesses alike - generating up to AED 335 billion in extra economic growth in the process. The strategy lays out how we will integrate AI across sectors, including healthcare, transportation, education and smart cities. I find that ambition breathtaking – and exciting. What, for me, makes the strategy stand out is the ability of the government to combine a By Ali Hussain Sajwani Managing Director, Operations & Technology, DAMAC Properties “There is no irony that a large part of building an AI economy will rely on some of the best human minds” Historic tech investments paves way for AI in UAE Government combines strong vision with active involvement to drive technological innovation AIedge_ july 2023 45 opinion strong vision with active involvement – in terms of investment, legislation and testbeds – to drive technological innovation. Our government lays out plans and acts on them. I recently read somewhere that the UAE “will build an AI economy, not wait for one.” There is no irony that a large part of building an AI economy will rely on some of the best human minds – and, you guessed it – the UAE also has a dedicated AI University, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), a graduate research university dedicated to “advancing AI as a global force for humanity”. MBZUAI “exists to educate and develop top talent, foster an innovation ecosystem, and act as a strategic think tank for the public and private sectors.” The UAE’s openness to experimentation and piloting new technologies provides a fertile ground for AI development. Initiatives like the Dubai Future Accelerators and the Smart Dubai Office’s AI Lab enable companies to test and refine their AI solutions in real-world settings. Dubai Future Accelerators, for example, overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation, aims to accelerate innovation and collaboration between government entities and technology companies. It pairs selected start-ups and scale- ups with government organisations to work on specific challenges and projects. The programme provides the opportunity to develop, evaluate innovative solutions, and collaborate closely with government partners. We already enjoy a robust digital infrastructure – with high-speed internet connectivity and advanced telecommunications networks. This foundation will help enable the seamless integration and deployment of AI technologies. Of course, regulation is key, and we already have supportive regulations and policies in place to foster innovation and attract AI-related investments. Initiatives like the Dubai Future Foundation and the Dubai Data Initiative create a conducive environment for AI integration, enabling data sharing and collaboration between the public and private sectors. The UAE actively encourages collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector. Partnerships with leading tech companies and institutions worldwide facilitate knowledge exchange, research, and implementation of cutting-edge AI solutions. At the heart of this incredible non-human technology, there lies a very human concept – that to make an AI-driven economy work, we need to employ the brightest minds to work together, to collaborate in partnerships, and to discover new and innovative ways of working together through labs, incubators and workshops. The UAE is perfectly placed to take full advantage of the AI revolution, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. $91.2BN The estimated additional economic growth generated by the AI strategy AI Strategy 2031 The strategy aims at positioning the UAE as a global leader in AI Attracting talents Dubai has revealed plans 300 digital startups by the end of 202446 edge_ july 2023 A rtificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to bring significant changes to the global economy, with vast potential value waiting to be tapped into as macroeconomic conditions get tougher across the world. As a result, and to meet this disruption head-on, business leaders are digging deeper - searching for new innovations that allow them to deliver more with less… arming employees with the ability to act, react, and respond to disruption with the dwindling resources at their disposal. According to the most recent PwC CEO survey, the majority of regional CEOs, specifically two- thirds, view technological disruption as a primary concern. Furthermore, 84 percent of the region’s CEOs plan to invest in automation, artificial intelligence, and cloud technology in 2023, while 74 percent intend to invest in upskilling their workforce. So, with a global business narrative circling around automating manual time-heavy tasks, what is holding back effective decision-making through AI analytics? Moreover, how can businesses ensure By Karl Crowther VP, MEA, Alteryx Insight distrust Low analytic maturity levels cause businesses to not trust insights generated from their own data Machines and trust: Addressing AI bias Why do businesses stall when delivering unbiased AI insights: is quality data the missing ingredient? AI opinionedge_ july 2023 47 opinion that – once automated – the AI-gene insights are even accurate? Low-quality data and AI Bias: what’s the solution? While AI comes in many shapes and sizes, it is, in short, a pattern recognition machine. It responds in the way it has been programmed to respond and relies on the historic data inputs to build and train the model - mimicking the human decision- making process to deliver insights. Once the exclusive domain of data scientists and programmers, AI has now moved to the mainstream. A PwC report on the potential impact of AI in the Middle East estimates that the Middle East will generate two percent of the global benefits of AI, equivalent to $320 billion, by 2030. But despite the clear business benefits, transparency and ethics are globally significant issues surrounding it and businesses do not trust the analytic insights generated from their own data enough to use them for decision-making. In many cases, this form of distrust is a hallmark of low analytic maturity levels. According to the International Institute for Analytics (IIA), the majority of organisations still sit at the ‘spreadsheet stage’ of analytics – ranking at just 2.2 out of five on the Analytic Maturity Scale. This spreadsheet stage is symptomatic of a wider issue – one defined by low accessibility, low data quality, and little in the way of governance, sovereignty, or quality control. This operating environment is the perfect breeding ground for biased AI insights. Building and utilising ethical AI In operational terms, the development team will usually receive a request for an analytic model to perform a specific task. In building that AI model, the development team will invariably request datasets from the relevant teams such as HR. If these teams provide live production data – a list of CVs from the last 10 years, for instance - instead of a carefully selected and cleaned dataset, then this data will likely contain a large number of biases for any number of specific reasons. For example, if we are in high tech and are searching for developers and engineers, it may be biased against women and towards men. Due to historical hires within companies, the algorithm correlates specific – widely held – qualities with success in-role. When delivering ethical AI-driven insights, there are three core requirements. First is the need for data. The second is for that data to be of a high enough representative quality to deliver valid insights when fed into AI models. The third stage is for data workers to package and deliver this data – passing it back up the analytics chain. How AI is built is the responsibility of both developers and business leaders, but with the data pipeline used to feed the model often collected, contextualised, and delivered by individual departments, these domain experts require knowledge around the ethical and pragmatic use of data to avoid any opportunity for bias to creep in. From a business perspective, there are over 20 mathematical definitions of fairness – which one the company should use in a business decision that should not be left solely to the developer. Mitigating AI bias to deliver business strategy Without the right cross-departmental skill sets, data knowledge, and governance factors, the data selected to feed AI models can not only be flawed but can also be incomplete or non-compliant. It could also contain unmitigated elements of historical systematic bias. Rather than relying on a small team of data experts, businesses must instead ensure people with a diverse range of perspectives and lived experiences are included in any AI project – delivering quality assurance at the source of the data. By bringing diverse and upskilled knowledge workers on board at that foundational data level, businesses can ensure that the ones closest to the problem – and closest to the datasets – are best positioned to highlight any errors, anomalies, or misunderstandings within that data. This results in a more robust strategy to highlight potentially biased datasets before that biased data is fed into an AI model, and where that bias will become amplified. In delivering this AI future and ensuring businesses can derive the greatest benefit from AI systems, one thing is clear. Layering on technology after technology alone will not deliver trusted or ethical insights at scale. Only through the combination of quality data, diverse human intelligence, and robust governance processes will AI become the force needed to deliver bias-free automated decision intelligence. “How AI is built is the responsibility of both developers and business leaders” 84% The percentage of CEOs in the Middle East who plan to invest in automation, AI and cloud technology in 202348 edge_ july 2023 Revolutionising home search in the UAE T he UAE is fast becoming a preferred destination to live in. There are many factors leading to this, including a great economic environment, the country’s continuous stream of new initiatives improving the quality of life for its residents, and a significantly reformed residence framework for foreign nationalities. In parallel to this, two critical movements are happening in real estate. Firstly, residents prefer to buy a home instead of renting, as they require bigger spaces with a growing preference for outdoor areas especially in the post-Covid era. By owning a home, they can tailor it to their unique needs and preferences. Secondly, there has been a significant demand from local and international investors in the UAE. A significant opportunity exists to increase trust and transparency in such a dynamic market. According to a brand survey which we conducted, 44 percent of home-seekers in the UAE regard ‘trust’ as a primary criterion. To address this issue, we focused on innovative communication to build trust, quality, and transparency. Establishing these credentials will help enhance home-seekers lives, especially since purchasing or renting a home is one of the most important decisions in one’s life. Digital transformation In a dynamic market with high demand, adapting new technologies to deliver the best consumer experience is more important than ever before. Nowadays, people increasingly rely on their digital devices for a wide range of house- hunting activities – from searching for pricing information to comparing and viewing their potential future homes. When we ask home-seekers, they emphasise three critical aspects that cannot be compromised during their home search journey. In summary, they want to know if the price they’re paying is fair, they want to ensure they have rich and accurate information about the property and the community itself, and lastly they want to know more about the agent that will be with them throughout this journey. We believe that technology significantly improves one’s home search journey and satisfies all their needs. The price of any asset is usually a result of a complex supply and demand equation. This fact is not different in real estate. Prices can vary depending on the market conditions such as availability of units and the popularity of an area, among other factors. Fortunately today, with the help of technology, we’re making information such as average price trends over time accessible to everyone with a single click to help them make better-informed decisions. Our aim is to eliminate guesswork from the home-search process, which is why we allocate considerable resources to enhance data and insights on our platform. When looking for a home, a critical part of the journey is to view the property and By Ari Kesisoglu President, Property Finder Group DIGITALISATIONedge_ july 2023 49 opinion that’s where the second point home-seekers highlight comes into the picture: the need for rich and accurate information about a property. What technology can help with is to surface a significant amount of information about a property, so we can do a lot of the elimination process through our devices and the properties we see are the ones relevant to our needs. We surface some common information around a property and launch many features to bring more of the journey into the digital world. Live viewings enabled users to stream property viewings and leave real-time questions and comments for agents broadcasting the properties. Among other popular additions were 360 tours, virtual walk-throughs, floor plans, and social media tours. AI integration The third primary concern for a home-seeker is one of the most difficult ones to solve and we had to deploy AI for it, which was the need to have more information about real estate agents. The challenge here was that a home-seeker was not asking us only to share common information about an agent, for example, if they were licensed, how long they have worked as an agent, and so on. They asked us a deeper and much more challenging question: “Can I find a reliable agent to guide me through what is likely to be the most significant transaction of my life?”. There are thousands of real estate agents in the UAE. We have a long-standing relationship with the majority of them. We also have millions of data points around the agents, including how many properties they represented historically, whether their properties were high in demand, how well they handled questions from other home-seekers and many others. Using these data points, we launched ‘SuperAgent’ MENA’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-driven ranking system. Using this technology, we promote some of the agents to SuperAgent status. Custom- developed by our engineering teams, the system uses millions of data points. Our aim is to help home-seekers find the most responsive agents with up-to-date and improved knowledge of the properties. In summary, technology can and will improve the home search journey for everyone. We are working hard to bring that vision to life. “With the help of technology, we’re making information such as the average price trends over time accessible to everyone with a single click to help them make better- informed decisions” Adapting to the UAE’s dynamic market Delivering the best consumer experience requires embracing new technologiesNext >