Abu Dhabi aims to be the world’s first AI-enabled government by 2027

Abu Dhabi is fast-tracking its digital transformation, with a bold ambition: to become the world’s first fully AI-enabled government by 2027.

At a meeting of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council this week, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, officials reviewed progress on the emirate’s Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027. The strategy places artificial intelligence at the center of governance and is backed by billions in funding to ensure it succeeds.

Training, awareness, and investment

Sheikh Tahnoon underscored the importance of preparing both government employees and the wider community for this shift. Programs are underway to train civil servants in AI applications and to raise public awareness about the role of digital transformation in everyday life.

The emirate has committed Dh13 billion ($3.53 billion) through 2027 to foster innovation, strengthen research, and drive AI adoption across government. Key entities including ADQ, ADNOC, the Department of Government Enablement, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) are spearheading projects that merge public-sector backing with private-sector innovation.

Beyond bureaucracy: global ambitions

The council’s discussions extended beyond digitizing bureaucracy. Officials explored how new technologies can be integrated to enhance services, improve quality of life, and raise Abu Dhabi’s international competitiveness. Efforts are being channeled into attracting leading AI companies, top global talent, and cutting-edge research collaborations.

Since its creation in early 2024, the council has been tasked with shaping policies that make Abu Dhabi a global hub for AI investment and partnerships. Its mandate includes supporting international collaboration, funding research, and building an ecosystem where AI can accelerate the emirate’s economic development goals.

A national push

The emirate’s strategy aligns with a broader federal push. In June, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence System will join the Cabinet as an advisory member starting January 2026, providing technical analysis and supporting policy decisions. A month later, he unveiled a new federal strategy cycle designed to embed AI into government planning and service delivery nationwide.

For Abu Dhabi, the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council plays a central role in translating this vision into action, ensuring AI adoption is not just a slogan but a measurable shift in governance and economy.

The Gulf race

Abu Dhabi’s AI ambitions reflect a wider Gulf competition to dominate the future of technology. Saudi Arabia has pledged tens of billions for AI and supercomputing under its Vision 2030 plan, while Qatar and Bahrain are racing to expand digital infrastructure. The UAE’s model leans on sovereign wealth, oil revenues, and strategic state planning to build a competitive edge.

Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become the world’s first AI-enabled government is not just about efficiency. It’s about shaping a new model of state power, one where artificial intelligence isn’t solely an add-on, it’s an operating system of governance itself.