Al Futtaim Group appoints Chief AI Officer to spearhead AI driven developments

• Corporations have created a new C-level role dedicated to it, called Chief AI Officer.
• Al-Futtaim Group also recently appointed Moza Omar Al Futtaim as the Chief AI Officer.
• The UAE government is taking great measures to harness the power of AI by implementing a comprehensive strategy.

Al-Futtaim Group’s new Chief AI Officer

On 15th February, Moza Omar Al Futtaim was appointed as the Chief AI Officer of Al Futtaim Group, a prominent privately held regional family business based in Dubai.

“I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey as Al-Futtaim Group’s Chief AI Officer. The potential of AI to transform our business operations and customer experiences is immense.

In the present highly competitive market, adopting AI enables companies to stay ahead of the curve as well as accelerate the pace of change.

In this new capacity, I aim to foster a culture of innovation and learning, ensuring that AI becomes a cornerstone of our growth strategy.

Together, we will unlock new opportunities, drive efficiency, and create unparalleled value for our customers, employees, and stakeholders.” – Moza Omar Al Futtaim.

What Moza Al Futtaim will oversee

Moza Al Futtaim will be responsible for the smart and swift integration of Artificial Intelligence technologies across Al Futtaim’s diverse sectors including,

• Automotive
• Financial Services
• Retail
• Real Estate
• Health
• And the Group’s reward program, “Blue.”

“Having collaborated with Moza on our Group CSR, Lifestyle app Blue, and other Group-wide initiatives, I can confidently say she’s the perfect fit for driving technological innovation and AI-driven development for our teams and customers.” Adel Maymoon, Corporate Communications Manager at Al-Futtaim Group congratulated Moza Al Futtaim on her appointment.

Al Futtaim’s commitment to AI

Al Futtaim Group is strongly committed to identifying new investment prospects and embracing AI-driven solutions.

These initiatives are geared towards staying ahead in the competitive landscape, enhancing customer experiences, and revolutionizing business operations.

They welcome their stakeholders, customers, employees, and the wider community to join us in embracing this exciting new chapter.

About Al-Futtaim Group

Al-Futtaim Group, founded in the 1930s as a trading business, has evolved into a highly diversified and forward-thinking regional enterprise based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

With five operating divisions spanning automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health, they have a strong presence in over 20 countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

They employ a team of more than 33,000 employees.

UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031

The UAE has announced an initiative called “National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031”. This aims to position the country as a global leader in AI by 2031.

To ensure successful implementation, the Emirates Council for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transactions, in collaboration with local and federal entities, oversees the strategy’s execution.

The strategy includes eight strategic objectives, numerous initiatives, and the establishment of an incubator for AI innovations.

By leveraging AI across key sectors, such as education, and government services, the strategy seeks to enhance,

• Economic growth
• Sustainability
• The overall quality of life for UAE citizens
• Attract talent.

How do you become a Chief AI Officer?

If you want to become a CAIO, you need to be well-versed in,

• Technical aspects of AI
• An educational background in computer science, data science, or a related field is often a prerequisite.
• Many CAIOs hold advanced degrees such as a Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• Leadership and Communication Skills
• Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen
• In a nutshell, hands-on experience in implementing AI solutions, managing AI teams, and understanding the business implications of AI applications can set you apart.

Why does a company need a C-level AI role?

AI and automation offer not only future possibilities, but also immediate chances to boost productivity, enhance cost efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction.

Recent surveys conducted worldwide reveal that more than 70 percent of organizations that utilize AI have achieved a notable competitive edge.

Furthermore, AI and automation have the potential to increase productivity by up to 40 percent.

In the year 2023 alone, numerous businesses appointed individuals for this brand-new position.

According to recent research conducted by Foundry, 11% of medium to large organizations have already assigned someone to this role, while an additional 21% of organizations are actively searching for a suitable candidate.

Several well-known organizations that have already appointed Chief AI officers, include GE HealthCare, UnitedHealth Group, Deloitte, Dell Technologies, Intel Corporation, and IBM.

Wrapping up…

We have all witnessed the immense potential of AI hence corporates doubling down on its potential is strategic.

The role of the Chief AI Officer may be relatively new, but its significance is growing rapidly as businesses continue to invest in AI.

In today’s world, workplaces must embrace AI and be ready to seize the incredible opportunities it brings, while also being prepared to tackle the challenges that come with this ever-evolving technology.