UAE Approves AI and Data Authority to Consolidate Digital Government Capabilities

UAE Establishes Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority to Unify Digital Government

On June 14, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who serves as Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, gave his approval for the formation of the nation's Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority.

This strategic initiative aims to merge public data, artificial intelligence, and digital government functions into one cohesive national framework, as the UAE government readies itself for an upcoming era of AI-driven digital transformation.

The Authority's duties involve aligning national directions and priorities to facilitate a unified digital government system powered by Agentic AI, crafting national public policies, legislation, and strategies, and guaranteeing coordination and integration among digital projects at both federal and local tiers.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the UAE is focused on creating a more efficient, agile, and forward-looking global government model that employs data and artificial intelligence for decision-making, enhancing government services and living standards, thereby boosting the country's competitiveness and global standing in the digital economy.

He noted that the Authority will act as the sole national entity overseeing data, artificial intelligence, and digital government in the UAE, answering directly to the Cabinet, with Omar Sultan Al Olama appointed as its head. The objective is to achieve a government that is quicker, more intelligent, and perpetually ahead, leveraging technology to serve citizens and construct a brighter future for coming generations.

Through this new organization, the emirates is constructing a future-oriented government—one that operates on data and agentic AI, makes swifter decisions, delivers superior outcomes, continuously evolves, and is centered on people rather than bureaucracy.

The Authority will consolidate under a single mandate the roles previously distributed among three distinct bodies: the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; the Digital Government Sector within the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority; and the UAE Data Office.