The United Arab Emirates has launched a transformative initiative aimed at transitioning half of its government services to artificial intelligence (AI) within the next two years, a move that underscores the nation’s ambition to lead in public-sector digital transformation. Announced by Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this initiative seeks to integrate autonomous “agentic AI” systems into approximately 50% of federal operations.
Sheikh Mohammed described the new strategy as a “new government system,” asserting that advanced AI models will serve as “executive partners” capable of monitoring changes, issuing recommendations, and performing tasks autonomously with minimal human oversight. The shift aims to streamline bureaucratic processes, reduce operational costs, and significantly enhance the speed of service delivery across government agencies.
To ensure effective implementation, federal ministers, directors-general, and various entities will be evaluated on their capability to adopt AI tools, redesign workflows, and incorporate intelligent systems into everyday operations. The initiative also necessitates that all federal employees receive specialized AI training, marking a substantial effort in workforce reskilling alongside technological advancements.
The execution of this ambitious plan will be overseen by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a dedicated task force led by Mohammad Al Gergawi responsible for managing the rollout and performance tracking across ministries. The strategy will follow a phased approach, allowing for ongoing assessment of performance and impact before broader adoption is pursued.
Officials emphasize that the newly implemented systems will focus on proactive, data-driven service delivery, allowing these AI tools to anticipate needs and act with greater precision. This initiative builds on over two decades of digital government reforms in the UAE, which include pioneering e-government initiatives, mobile-first services, and integrated platforms such as the UAE Pass.
The newly unveiled plan aligns with national programs like Government Services 2.0, which stress seamless, user-centric service design. The move further reinforces the UAE’s commitment to artificial intelligence as a fundamental element of governance. Since appointing the world’s first Minister of State for AI in 2017, the UAE has developed its UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 as part of the broader UAE Centennial 2071 vision.
Alongside the AI transition, the UAE Cabinet has approved a suite of policies aimed at standardizing and enhancing government services. These policies include a unified code for service delivery, a national digital records framework, and a data-sharing policy based on the principle of collecting data once and utilizing it securely across various entities. Additional measures will ensure that digital projects align with national priorities, improve governance, and maximize resource efficiency.
Ultimately, officials assert that this comprehensive transformation is designed to enhance the quality of life for residents by delivering faster, more efficient, and responsive public services while keeping citizens at the core of government priorities. As part of its broader ambitions, Abu Dhabi aims to become a fully AI-native government by 2027, further establishing the UAE as a leader in next-generation governance where human oversight and machine intelligence collaborate at scale.
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