UAE: The United Arab Emirates is planning a major digital shift, with half of its government services set to be handled by artificial intelligence (AI) within the next two years.
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Massive AI Transition Announced
The move was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum following directives from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Under the plan, 50% of government services, operations, and sectors will transition to AI-powered systems capable of working with minimal human input.
Under the directives of the President of the UAE, we launch a new government model. Within two years, 50% of government sectors, services, and operations will run on Agentic AI, making the UAE the first government globally to operate at this scale through autonomous systems.
AI… pic.twitter.com/53OQLe7RXl
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 23, 2026
What “AI Government” Means
The UAE aims to become the first country to use “agentic AI” in government.
This type of AI can:
- Monitor situations in real time
- Analyze data and provide insights
- Make recommendations
- Execute tasks and processes automatically
In simple terms, AI will act like a digital assistant that can think, decide, and act to improve services.
Faster, Smarter Public Services
Officials say the goal is to make government services:
- Faster and more efficient
- Available in real time
- Easier for residents and businesses to access
This could affect everyday services such as applications, approvals, and public transactions.
Government Workers to Be Trained
The shift is not just about technology—it also involves people.
All federal employees will undergo special AI training to help them adapt to the new system. Leaders and agencies will also be evaluated based on how quickly they adopt AI tools.
This means government staff will need to learn new skills as part of the transition.
Who Will Lead the Project
The initiative will be overseen by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a dedicated task force led by Minister Mohammad Al Gergawi.
Their role is to ensure the plan is properly implemented across all government sectors.
Why the UAE Is Making This Move
Officials say the shift reflects rapid global changes in technology.
The main goal is to:
- Improve quality of life
- Support better decision-making
- Create a more advanced and efficient government
Despite the use of AI, leaders emphasized that people will remain at the center of services.