Building the first AI-native government: Abu Dhabi's model for the future
Abu Dhabi has a clear target: become the world's first AI-native government by 2027. The Department of Government Enablement (DGE), led by H.E. Wesam Lootah, is coordinating more than 40 entities to build a unified, secure, and people-first digital ecosystem.
The goal isn't buzz. It's operational. The work is already moving from strategy to execution at scale.
AI-native, defined
AI-native is a build spec with a solid foundation and clear commitments.
- Sovereign cloud: 100% of government data sits on infrastructure the government controls and secures.
- Full digitization and automation: Core processes are digitized, with 40+ entities unified on a single Oracle Fusion ERP to enable secure data sharing and operations. Learn more about Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP
- Machine-readable by default: Data, policies, and services are structured so AI agents can understand and act reliably.
- Agentic workforce: Humans and AI work side by side. AI handles routine; people focus on higher-value work.
- Autonomous, anticipatory services: Services learn, adapt, and deliver personalized experiences at scale with clear guardrails.
- Security, privacy, and sovereignty: Non-negotiable and enforced end to end.
Production, not pilots
DGE reports 100+ AI use cases live across the government-used daily, not parked in labs.
- ATRC's Nabat: AI and autonomous robotics protect and restore fragile ecosystems. Advanced Technology Research Council
- Abu Dhabi Police Smart Investigator: AI conducts first-stage investigations and drafts initial reports, freeing officers for complex cases.
- Department of Culture and Tourism Smart Hotel Check-In: Facial recognition speeds up check-in and strengthens security.
The pattern is consistent: measurable time savings, better accuracy, stronger compliance, and improved experiences for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Digital with a human touch
Technology should remove friction, not the personal touch. Abu Dhabi pairs automation with human-in-the-loop services so people can choose how they engage.
TAMM Hologram service pods connect residents with real agents via holographic technology at convenient locations. AI Majalis create trusted spaces for open conversations about AI-rooted in the traditional majlis-so people of all ages and skill levels can engage with confidence.
A workforce built for AI
More than 95% of the government workforce has been upskilled in AI. Continuous learning runs through AI-powered platforms like Tomouh, which gives every employee a personalized development plan.
The result: AI automates routine tasks, while employees focus on strategy, innovation, and service quality. Technology and talent move in lockstep.
What other governments can copy now
- Define a sovereign cloud path and migrate high-value, high-risk workloads first.
- Unify core finance, HR, and procurement on a single ERP to enable secure, cross-entity data flows.
- Make data machine-readable (standards, APIs, metadata) before scaling AI agents.
- Stand up an AI governance board with clear policies for security, privacy, bias, and accountability.
- Pick 5-10 high-impact use cases with real service metrics (time saved, errors reduced, satisfaction scores).
- Design human-in-the-loop touchpoints for edge cases and preference-based access.
- Invest in continuous upskilling with role-based learning paths and on-the-job practice.
- Instrument everything and publish service performance dashboards.
If your teams need structured learning paths for AI skills by role, this catalogue can help: AI courses by job.
The bigger picture
Abu Dhabi's Digital Strategy 2025-2027 sets a clear model: secure digital identity, sovereign cloud, proactive services, and human-centered design at scale. With residents from more than 200 nationalities, the ecosystem is a practical testbed for accessible, bias-resistant AI.
The message to public sector leaders is simple: standardize the foundation, make services machine-ready, keep people in the loop, and measure outcomes. Copy the playbook, adapt to local context, and deliver better public value-faster.
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