Agentic AI to take over half of UAE public sector
The initiative introduces a national framework to integrate Agentic AI into government operations, enabling autonomous systems to manage and optimise public services at scale.
The UAE has announced an ambitious government framework to integrate Agentic AI across 50% of the public sector and services within two years. Revealed at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiative positions AI as an operational partner managing government functions autonomously.
Agentic AI systems will be deployed to monitor developments, analyse data, recommend actions and run operational workflows without human intervention. Authorities expect the shift to improve service speed and efficiency, cut costs, and enable real-time evaluation and continuous improvements across federal entities.
The programme will roll out in phases under a dedicated task force, with performance-based assessments for government entities and leadership. A parallel focus has been placed on workforce development, with training programmes designed to equip employees with advanced AI capabilities.
The framework builds on two decades of digital transformation in the UAE, including earlier national AI strategies and smart government initiatives, and expands the country’s push towards fully integrated, data-driven governance systems.
Why does it matter?
The project marks a shift from digital tools to autonomous governance, where AI can directly run and optimise public services in real time. That raises efficiency and responsiveness, but also makes strong oversight, governance, and workforce readiness essential to ensure safe and effective implementation.
The approach could also serve as a global blueprint for large-scale government AI adoption, shaping how states modernise public services and integrate autonomous systems into core governance.
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