Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA reviews future of digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence and robotics in water and energy sector

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a DEWA Digital Day workshop for its staff. Experts from international organisations including Microsoft, SAP, Ernest & Young, and Navigant took part in the workshop, to discuss digital transformation in DEWA and its initiatives to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, and develop disruptive technologies. This is with a view to DEWA becoming one of the most prominent digital utilities in the world, in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution that the world is experiencing.

The workshop was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, DEWA’s Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, and a large number of staff from all divisions.

“Organising this workshop comes at a time when DEWA has accomplished many international achievements, receiving over 170 local and international awards over the past three years. These include the international excellence award by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) to become the first non-European organisation to receive this prestigious award and be placed in the platinum category along with other major global companies. The UAE, represented by DEWA, has achieved first place globally for getting electricity, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2018. Nonetheless, we have learnt from our wise leadership that we do not rest on our laurels, even if we achieve first place. The next phase requires a lot from us to keep pace with the huge developments made around the world every day,” said Al Tayer in his keynote speech.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has said that, “We usher in a new phase for the UAE, enriched with science and technology; we seek to build the future for many more generations to come.” DEWA takes the lead in anticipating the future, innovating its technologies, and employing them to achieve the best results. This places us among the best utilities in the world. This is supported by innovation, which is the basis for developing our services, initiatives, strategies work plans, and continuous improvement. This is part of our efforts to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and develop disruptive technologies, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, and other innovative technologies. We also align our strategies and initiatives with local and federal government plans and strategies including the UAE Centennial 2071, which is a long-term government plan to prepare the UAE and young Emiratis for the future; the Dubai 10X Initiative, which mandates the Government of Dubai to be a global leader that is 10 years ahead of all other cities through government innovation and reformulation of traditional work mechanisms; the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which creates an innovative and highly-productive environment by investing in AI and its applications across multiple domains; the UAE Future Strategy to seize opportunities and anticipate challenges in all sectors and analyse them and set long-term proactive plans for them; and the UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution which aims to strengthen the UAE's position as a global hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and increase its contribution to a knowledge-based national economy that depends on innovation and future technological applications,” said Al Tayer.

“DEWA adopts best global practices in research and development in line with its vision to become a sustainable innovative world class utility. We work closely with our partners to explore and develop investment opportunities in new technologies, services, and business models. We also support start-ups in innovation, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and enhancing research and development and innovation. This consolidates DEWA’s position as one of the leading utilities in the world. I hope that this workshop will come up with effective results and recommendations that contribute to achieving our goals to make DEWA one of the most prominent digital utilities in the world, and contribute to Dubai’s leadership of the future by reshaping traditional concepts of work mechanisms to cope with the rapid developments taking place in the world. This will achieve the vision of our wise leadership, to promote Dubai as an incubator for creativity and innovation so that we are at the forefront of cities that do not only foresee the future, but also create it,” concluded Al Tayer.