UAE to Run Government on AI Within 2 Years

The United Arab Emirates has announced a groundbreaking initiative to operate 50% of its government services and operations using autonomous artificial intelligence within two years. This move aims to establish the UAE as the world's first country to govern at such a scale through AI systems. The plan involves utilizing agentic AI, which can actively manage processes and deliver services with significantly reduced human intervention, marking a departure from conventional digital government platforms.

This transformation signifies a fundamental shift in governmental operations, with AI agents becoming executive partners capable of analyzing, deciding, and executing tasks in real time. For residents, this means a simplified experience where complex government processes are handled automatically, leading to faster and more efficient service delivery. The initiative is designed to reduce operational costs and boost overall productivity.

The implementation will be a phased rollout across ministries, guided by continuous performance assessments. This initiative represents the latest step in the UAE's long-standing commitment to digital reform, which began with e-government transitions in 2010 and advanced through smart government and mobile service initiatives. The country has also been a pioneer in AI governance, appointing the first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and launching its AI Strategy 2031.