Cyber next 50

KPMG collaborated with the United Arab Emirates Cyber Security Council to explore the future of cyber security over the next 50 years. Our research focuses on the myriad issues arising from the adoption of information technology and highlights the current trends that are expected to impact our lives in the upcoming decades. These megatrends include demographics, climate change, health challenges and energy consumption.

KPMG experts created a set of “Imagine if” scenarios that explore the potential socio-political implications of technological advances. In our vision of the future, developments in immersive virtual reality will blur real life and fiction, with businesses thriving in the virtual world and data becoming the new money. Robots will seamlessly integrate into our lives, from personal care to military systems, while AI will be able to predict and shape the future. Hyperconnected sensors and advanced weaponry will also grant unprecedented omniscience and machines may develop the capability to read human thoughts and manipulate our DNA.

To prolong the human lifespan, the rich and powerful will consider cloning, genetic manipulation and transferring memories to AI. Finally, with a focus on integrity, transparent supply chains will emerge, and cyber security will become an even more important part of national defense.

New models providing higher abstraction levels of permitted interactions between people and AI systems will be required, in addition to the need of new licensing frameworks. Cyber operations are expected to become more automated, forming partnerships between security professionals, AI tools and the decision-making systems that support them.

In this report, we present valuable insight on potential policy decisions the UAE can consider to maximize its cyber resilience over the next 50 years. This includes a progressive legal framework underpinned by new laws that improve the country’s ability to deal with advanced forms of fakery, deception, manipulation and criminal activity in the information space.It has been our privilege to witness the UAE’s growthover the years, and we look forward to contributing to its continued advancement in cyber innovation.

The UAE has outlined the principles upon which it will build leading up to its centennial year in 2071. These principles chart the strategic roadmap for the UAE’s new era of economic, political and social growth – from strengthening the union and institutions to placing digital, technical and scientific development at the heart of its economic development.

They will act as guidelines for all institutions in the UAE as the country approaches a new phase of development over the next five decades. They are part of the ‘Projects of the 50’ campaign, and are as follows.