Dubai International Airport is committed to using artificial intelligence (AI) to increase efficiency and improve travelers’ experiences. Backed by a government that makes artificial intelligence innovation a priority in all sectors of the country, the airport is testing and implementing many AI-powered solutions.

1. The Amazing Ways
Dubai Airport Uses
Artificial Intelligence

2. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
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As one of the world’s busiest airports, (ranked No. 3 in 2018 according to
Airports Council International’s world traffic report), Dubai International Airport
is also a leader in using artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) leads the Arab world with its adoption of artificial intelligence
in other sectors and areas of life and has a government that prioritizes artificial
intelligence including an AI strategy and Ministry of Artificial Intelligence with a
mandate to invest in technologies and AI tools.
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence

3. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence
The Emirates Ministry of the Interior said that by 2020, immigration officers
would no longer be needed in the UAE. They will be replaced by artificial
intelligence. The plan is to have people just walk through an AI-powered
security system to be scanned without taking off shoes or belts or
emptying pockets.
The airport was already experimenting with a virtual aquarium smart gate.
Travelers would walk through a small tunnel surrounded by fish. While they
looked around at the fish that swim around them, cameras could view
every angle of their faces. This allowed for quick identification.
AI Customs Officials

4. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, the world’s biggest long-haul carrier,
believes artificial intelligence, specifically robots, should already be
handling baggage service including identifying them, putting the bags in
appropriate bins and then taking them out of the aircraft without any
human intervention. He envisions these robots to be similar to the
automation and robotics used at Amazon.com’s warehouses.
AI Baggage Handling
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence

5. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
In a partnership with Canada-based Searidge Technologies, the UAE
General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is researching the use of artificial
intelligence in the country’s air traffic control process.
In a statement announcing the partnership in 2018, the director-general of
the GCAA confirmed that it is UAE’s strategy to explore how artificial
intelligence and other new technologies can enhance the aviation industry.
With goals to optimise safety and efficiency within air traffic management,
this is important work that could ultimately impact similar operations
worldwide.
Air Traffic Management
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence

6. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Self-driving cars powered by artificial intelligence and 100% solar or
electrical energy will soon be helping the Dubai Airport increase efficiency
in its day-to-day operations, including improvements between ground
transportation and air travel. Imagine how artificial intelligence could
orchestrate passenger movement from arrival to the airport to leaving your
destination's airport. In the future, autonomous vehicles (already loaded
with your luggage) could meet you at the curb. Maybe AI could transform
luggage carts to act autonomously to get your luggage to your hotel or
home, eliminating any need for baggage carousels and the hassle of
dealing with your luggage.
Automated Vehicles
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence

7. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
While much attention is given to the process of vetting passengers to
ensure safe air travel, artificial intelligence can also improve the staff
clearance process. Some airports see the most significant security threat
airports, and airlines face is with airport personnel. An EgyptAir mechanic,
baggage handler and two police officers were arrested in connection with
the bombing of Metrojet Flight 9268 where all 224 people on board died.
There have been several arrests in Australia of border force officers linked
to international drug smugglers.
Staff Clearance
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence

8. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Part of these efforts to improve the staff clearance process includes
enhancing staff entrances to enable greater control with biometrics,
advanced facial recognition and the use of artificial intelligence rather than
just CCTV cameras and police monitoring which is used now. Artificial
intelligence can look for areas of concerns with a staff member’s behavior
and record for crime and violence even before they are hired. After they are
hired, AI algorithms can continue to look for changes that could indicate a
security problem.
Staff Clearance
The Amazing Ways Dubai Airport Uses Artificial
Intelligence

9. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
AI Projects Being Explored for the Future
Emirates is developing AI projects in its lab at the Dubai Future Accelerators facility. Some of
these include using AI to assist passengers when picking their onboard meals, scheduling a
pickup by a taxi as well as personalizing the experience of every Emirates passenger
throughout the entire journey.
They are also exploring how AI can help Emirates teach cabin crew. We can expect that
artificial intelligence will be put to work to solve the problems of airplane boarding by
looking at the issue in a way humans have been unable to.
The goal would be for AI to architect a queue-less experience.

10. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
AI at Other Airports
The first biometric airport terminal is already running at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport, and a similar system is running at Dubai International Airport for first-
and business-class passengers. Here are some other ways airports and airlines around the
world are using artificial intelligence or plan to:
• Cybersecurity: Airports and airlines have shifted from identifying cybersecurity to
preventing cybersecurity threats with an AI assist in response to the expansion of
digitalization across aviation
• Immersive experiences: Augmented reality might be the future of helping travellers find
their way through an airport.
• Voice recognition technology: At Heathrow Airport, passengers can already ask Alexa to
get flight updates. United Airlines allows travellers to check in to their flight through
Google Assistant by simply stating, “Hey Google, check in to my flight.”

11. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
AI at Other Airports
As innovation gets pushed by the UAE, Dubai International Airport and other technology
innovators around the world, there will be opportunities for abuse and privacy considerations
when using these new AI tools and capabilities for air travel. But, if artificial intelligence can
remove the biggest headaches from travel, some people (possibly most) will be more than
ready to exchange a bit of privacy for a better experience when AI takes over.

12. © 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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