UAE Plans to Run Half Its Government on Autonomous AI Within Two Years
The United Arab Emirates will embed autonomous decision-making systems across federal government operations, with a target of 50% of services powered by agentic AI within two years. If achieved, the UAE would become the first nation to deploy such systems at scale across public administration.
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the directive, which positions AI as an "executive partner" in governance rather than a tool. The shift moves beyond traditional digitization toward systems that analyze data, make decisions, execute actions, and adapt in real time.
How the Program Works
Oversight sits with UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed. Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi will chair the task force coordinating execution across ministries.
The program sets three explicit performance metrics: speed of adoption, quality of implementation, and the degree to which agencies redesign workflows around AI capabilities.
Every federal employee will undergo training in generative AI tools and applications. The strategy treats civil servants as operators and supervisors of AI systems rather than replacing them.
Building on Existing Infrastructure
The UAE has invested in digital transformation for two decades. Early eGovernment infrastructure evolved into mobile-first service delivery and integrated platforms like the UAE Pass digital identity system.
Government Services 2.0 introduced proactive, data-driven service models - precursors to the predictive and autonomous capabilities now planned.
Institutionally, the groundwork exists. The UAE appointed a dedicated minister for artificial intelligence in 2017, launched the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 in 2020, and created the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
What Makes This Different
The current initiative goes beyond adopting AI technology. It attempts to reorganize government around autonomous systems. The two-year deadline compresses what has historically been a gradual process into a bounded, performance-driven transformation.
For executives managing digital strategy, this represents a shift in how organizations think about automation. Rather than layering AI on top of existing processes, the UAE is redesigning workflows and workforce roles around what these systems can do.
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