UAE Chief AI Officers Launch 10-Day US Tech Tour to Accelerate Government AI
50 UAE Chief AI Officers begin a 10-day US tour to speed AI adoption in government. Meetings with Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, NVIDIA focus on better services, safety, and skills.
UAE Chief AI Officers launch US tech tour to fast-track public sector AI
Last updated: September 14, 2025 | 13:30
The Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, in partnership with the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence, has launched a ten-day visit for 50 Chief AI Officers from federal and local entities to leading US technology companies. The move reinforces the UAE's intent to set a high bar for digital government and practical AI adoption across services and policy.
What this visit delivers for government teams
- Direct access to the latest innovations and operating models from global tech leaders.
- Benchmarking of AI governance, safety practices, and deployment playbooks.
- Partnership discussions that can accelerate delivery of citizen services and internal efficiency.
- Clearer roadmaps for talent development, infrastructure, and procurement standards.
Who the delegation is meeting
- Meta
- OpenAI
- Palantir
- NVIDIA
- IBM
- Amazon
- Microsoft
Strategic context
The visit supports the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the long-term vision under UAE Centennial 2071. It strengthens the country's position as a center for practical AI in government operations, policy design, and future readiness.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said the initiative advances national efforts to expand the role of AI in government and build strategic partnerships with technology leaders. He emphasized the UAE's commitment to improving services and preparing institutions for what's next.
Mohammed bin Taliah, Chief of Government Services of the UAE Government and head of the delegation, noted that the program enables direct engagement with international experts, faster exchange of expertise, and adoption of proven practices that raise service quality.
Why this matters now
AI is moving from pilots to production in core government functions: service delivery, inspections, case triage, contact centers, back-office automation, and data analysis. This visit helps agencies shorten the learning curve, reduce risk, and focus investment on models and tools that are proven at scale.
Selection of Chief AI Officers
The CAIO cohort was appointed following Cabinet approval, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to establish the role across ministries and federal entities. Selection criteria prioritized deep technical fluency, policy literacy, and the ability to deploy AI that improves operations and outcomes. This step supports the UAE 2031 Vision for leadership in AI and digital technologies.
Focus on human capital
The visit centers on knowledge transfer and upskilling, reflecting the UAE Government's priority to invest in national talent as the engine of digital progress. It also deepens international cooperation to support the digital economy and emerging technologies.
What government entities can do next
- Identify 3-5 high-impact use cases per agency with clear service or cost outcomes and defined owners.
- Set minimum standards for safety, data privacy, model evaluation, and human oversight before procurement.
- Pilot with time-boxed proofs of value, then scale through shared platforms to avoid duplication.
- Stand up an AI skills plan for leaders, practitioners, and front-line teams with quarterly targets.
- Measure results with a public dashboard: service speed, satisfaction, accuracy, and savings.
Related resources
- UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (official portal)
- AI upskilling paths by job role (Complete AI Training)
