The UAE has taken another major step in its AI strategy by establishing a new federal authority that unifies artificial intelligence, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital government under a single national framework. The move is designed to strengthen policy coordination, accelerate AI adoption across government, and reinforce the country’s position as a global AI leader.
Key highlights:
- New Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority established at the federal level.
- Brings together AI, public data, and digital government capabilities under one governance structure.
- Led by Omar Sultan Al Olama, reporting directly to the UAE Cabinet.
- Mandated to oversee national AI strategy, data integration, digital transformation, and AI governance.
- Aims to deliver more proactive government services while increasing the digital economy’s contribution to GDP.
This is more than an administrative restructuring. It reflects a global shift from treating AI as a standalone technology initiative to governing it as national infrastructure. By integrating AI, data, and digital services under one authority, the UAE is positioning itself to make faster, more coordinated, and intelligence-driven policy and operational decisions—an approach that many governments are only beginning to explore.
Source: Middle East AI News, UAE Government announcements, Gulf Business, MIT Sloan Middle East.