UAE to Hand Half of Government Operations to AI Agents Within Two Years
The United Arab Emirates will shift 50% of its government sectors, services, and operations to autonomous AI systems by 2028, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced Thursday.
The directive comes from UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Al Maktoum said the move marks a shift in how AI functions in government-from a tool that assists humans to a system that "analyses, decides, executes, and improves in real time."
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed will oversee the transition. Success will be measured by adoption speed, implementation quality, and how well workers master the new systems.
Federal Workers Face Mandatory AI Training
All government employees must be trained to "master AI," according to Al Maktoum. The training is not optional-it's a requirement for the workforce to function within an AI-driven government structure.
The UAE frames this as building workforce capability, not replacing workers. Al Maktoum said: "People come first," even as the government automates half its operations.
Building on Existing AI Infrastructure
This announcement expands on the UAE's April 2025 launch of an AI-based legislative system. That system uses AI agents to draft laws, track their effects through data analysis, and recommend amendments based on observed outcomes.
The government now plans to apply similar autonomous systems across multiple sectors within the two-year window.
For government professionals, this shift means understanding AI Agents & Automation will move from optional to essential. Workers in public administration should also review resources on AI for Government to understand how these systems will function alongside human decision-making.
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