Panel Discussion on “Technology of Today, Lifestyle of Tomorrow”

General objectives: • To promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) across various sectors • To spread awareness amongst EEG’s stakeholders • To help stakeholders make informed decisions based on scientific knowledge • To provide a platform of dialogue and exchange to expert business and government leaders, influential academia and researchers Specific objectives • To share knowledge and know-how of environmental issues and technology among the community • To inform the community about future plans and solutions related to environmental issues • To identify nexuses with Sustainable Development and Artificial Intelligence • To create an intellectual engagement platform with stakeholders The second Panel Discussion for the year 2018 was held on the 18th of April under the theme – “Technology of Today, Lifestyle of Tomorrow”. The main objective behind the event was to highlight the role of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development, and how these trends are changing our lifestyles within the realms of Transport, Education, and Building intelligence. The panel of experts, moderated by the EEG Chairperson, comprised of speakers from ACWA Power, Modul University Dubai, Siemens, Controls Products & Systems and an Education Consultant. The impactful event brought to surface the growing significance of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (IOTs) and discussed its influence on the achievement of UNEP’s Agenda 2030. Highlighting the importance of overcoming impediments related to quality education, smart energy and smart homes, the session concluded with emphasis on the need to adopt sustainable practices and fine tune organisational strategies in the face of continuous evolution. This impactful event was attended by 45 guests from the private sector, government, academia and NGOs. The speakers addressed the audience on relevant issues related to the SDGs. Some important focus points included: 1. ACWA Power: Measures undertaken towards highlighting the need for renewable energy generation, and how the integration of smart grid units is paramount in the continuous and definite supply of power. 2. MODUL University: Impacts of AI towards the quality of education, providing a “crystal ball” analogy of the quality of education that represents the perception of the current youth about the implications of technology on our future. 3. Siemens: Smart Home Technologies, especially with a focus on the changes in our domestic lifestyles, from manually turning off lights to automatic lighting controls, hinting at how the combination of compliance, digitisation, and innovation have played a pivotal role at conceptualising the smart home automation technology, that has manifested from a process of inception, investment, solution, niche and commercial adaptation. 4. Education Entrepreneur: Focused on the future of education, and how AI would govern the existence of jobs for the future, since we are on the verge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with innovation holding high premise, automation, and mobile supercomputing, intelligent robots, self-driving cars, neuro-technological brain enhancements, and genetic editing. EEG is continuously working towards increasing the impact of its Panel Discussions. We would continue to invite private and public sector organisations and other stakeholders to come on board through partnerships and sponsorship to further increase the clean and green spaces in the UAE. We would like to invite like-minded partners and sponsors who will play an active role with us in bringing together a more diverse group of participants and speakers from the UAE and Middle East. We are also confident that with the right partnership, we can further expand this campaign to other Arab countries that are looking to bring about a change in behaviour to their communities and populations while promoting active sustainability.