UAE to run half of government on autonomous AI within two years

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UAE to run half of government on autonomous AI within two years

Editorial Team

April 24, 2026

UAE to run half of government on autonomous AI within two years — Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, left, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with Dubai crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during the meeting of the cabinet, UAE, April 23, 2026. Photo: The Government of Dubai Media Office

UAE plans to use Agentic AI for 50% of government operations by 2028

DUBAI,— The United Arab Emirates announced plans Thursday to deploy autonomous artificial intelligence systems, Agentic AI, across half of its government operations within two years, a move that officials said would make the country the first in the world to run its public sector at such a scale through autonomous technology.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled the initiative following a Cabinet meeting he chaired, which all ministers and Cabinet members attended. The Government of Dubai Media Office reported the announcement.

Sheikh Mohammed said on X that the plan was launched under directions from the UAE President, and that half of all government sectors, services, and operations would shift to AI-driven autonomous systems within a two-year window, a first for any government worldwide at that level of scale.

Agentic AI differs from conventional digital tools. It refers to systems that independently analyze data, reach conclusions, carry out multi-step processes, and refine their own performance without requiring constant human direction.

In practice, such systems can monitor changes, generate analyses, manage operations, and execute a sequence of actions on their own.

Sheikh Mohammed said the role of AI had fundamentally changed. It was no longer simply a supporting instrument but a system capable of examining information, drawing conclusions, acting on them, and refining outcomes continuously.

He said it would function as a working partner inside government, helping speed up decisions, lift the quality of services, and drive greater operational efficiency.

The announcement builds on two decades of digital development inside the UAE government, spanning early electronic government services, mobile platforms, and integrated systems including the UAE Pass identity verification program.

Broader frameworks such as Government Services 2.0 introduced data-driven and proactive service delivery in earlier phases.

The country reached an early milestone in AI governance when it named a dedicated minister for artificial intelligence in 2017, becoming the first nation to create such a position.

That same year, a national AI strategy targeting 2031 was introduced as part of the longer-range UAE Centennial 2071 vision.

The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications was established in 2020 to advance that direction further.

Under the new framework, government performance will be evaluated on three fronts: how quickly agencies bring the technology on board, how effectively they put revised standards into practice, and how well officials understand and apply AI to reshape the way public services are delivered.

“This transformation has a clear timeline. Two years,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

Ministers, directors-general, and government bodies will be assessed on their ability to manage the shift. Every federal employee is to receive specialized and continuous training in AI tools so the country builds what officials described as one of the world’s strongest pools of AI-capable public servants.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed will oversee implementation of the initiative. A dedicated task force, chaired by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, will drive day-to-day execution.

Sheikh Mohammed said the underlying principle guiding the transformation remains unchanged. “The world is changing. Technology is accelerating. Our principle remains constant. People come first. Our goal is a government that is faster, more responsive, and more impactful.”

The Cabinet also approved a government services digital records policy that establishes a national framework for managing data produced by public services.

The policy designates digital records as the official source of core information, strengthens transparency through a comprehensive records guide, ensures data quality on a continuing basis, and aligns records management with national priorities.

A government services data sharing policy was also cleared by the Cabinet, built on the principle of collecting information once and using it securely across multiple entities. The policy sets governance rules, supports integration between federal bodies, local authorities, and the private sector, and aims to improve data reliability while protecting privacy.

The Cabinet additionally approved a federal guide to aligning digital government projects with national priorities. The guide promotes efficient use of resources, encourages reuse of capabilities such as digital identity systems and digital wallets, and introduces governance tools to strengthen planning.

It also calls for feasibility studies and pilot testing to avoid duplication and increase long-term productivity.

Other measures approved during the session included a Geographical Indication framework to protect and promote UAE-made products, and a unified Digital Postal Addressing System intended to support logistics, geospatial services, and smart city development.

Officials did not detail which specific government sectors would be the first to operate under Agentic AI models, nor did they specify a budget for the program. The task force chaired by Al Gergawi is expected to oversee the rollout and report on progress as the two-year deadline approaches.

(With files from the Government of Dubai Media Office)