Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE is positioning itself as a responsible global leader in artificial intelligence, guided by a clear national strategy and anchored in strong ethical governance, experts say.
“The UAE is setting a global benchmark in purposeful AI by combining innovation with strong governance, cultural values, and a firm commitment to human-centric outcomes,” said Dr. Abdulla Al Shimmari, National Experts Programme (NEP) Fellow and Executive Director of the National Talent Sector at the Department of Government Enablement (DGE).
AI is a core priority for the UAE, with a clear national strategy driving its innovation-focused future. The UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence aims to enhance government performance, implement integrated smart systems to address challenges efficiently and provide quick solutions, lead global AI investments across sectors, and create high-value economic opportunities.
Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines of the recent NEP Speaker Series, Dr. Al Shimmari highlighted the country’s “balanced approach” in embracing and advancing AI.
“Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser – recently recognised in TIME’s top 100 influential figures in AI for 2025 – the UAE has made remarkable strides in AI through G42, a pioneering technology group. G42 has played a key role in building sovereign AI infrastructure, fostering trusted international partnerships, and driving transformative innovation. This balanced approach not only enhances global trust in AI but also positions the UAE as a responsible and forward-thinking leader in the digital age,” he said.
Amid growing AI adoption and investment, experts highlighted the importance of addressing social and ethical concerns and how the UAE ensures the technology serves the public interest and common good.
“In the UAE, our vision for AI is grounded in purpose, ensuring that innovation advances with ethical governance, cultural representation, and long-term societal benefit at its core,” Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), told Aletihad. TII’s Falcon series of large language models (LLMs), for example, is guided by a commitment to open-source transparency, which helps promote security and collaboration.
Transforming public services is a key use case of the technology in the country. Abu Dhabi seeks to be the world’s first fully AI‑native government in all digital services by 2027, with the path mapped out in DGE’s Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
This landmark strategy includes an investment of Dh13 billion to fully digitise and automate government processes, achieve 100% adoption of sovereign cloud infrastructure, and deploy over 200 AI-driven solutions across public services.
“By building sovereign AI capabilities, we are not only safeguarding digital autonomy but also shaping technologies that reflect our values and identity,” Dr. Aaraj said.
Addressing ethical considerations, the AI Ethics Guidelines issued by the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office in 2022 set standards for fairness, equity, transparency, accountability, and privacy in the development and deployment of the technology.
The UAE Charter for the Development and Use of AI expanded on the guidelines, introducing new, forward-looking principles.
“Purposeful AI, for us, means creating solutions that are trusted, inclusive, and globally relevant.” Dr. Aaraj said.
Dr. Andrew Jackson, Group Chief AI Officer, G42, added that it is about “creating technologies that are both globally relevant and locally empowering”.
“How we lead AI’s development will define the technology’s impact. At G42, we are committed to advancing AI that is inclusive, ethical, and globally scalable and by embedding responsibility into every step, we can ensure AI becomes a force for good in addressing humanity’s greatest challenges,” Dr. Jackson told Aletihad.
Dr. Aaraj and Dr. Jackson were among those who participated in the recent NEP Speaker Series held this month. It was moderated by Dr. Al Shimmari.
The NEP Speakers Series complements the wider programme, which integrates academic learning, immersive sector-based work experience, and mentorship from leaders across the government and the private sector.
Launched in 2019, the NEP is a launchpad for Emirati experts committed to playing a leading role in the transformation of future-growth sectors aligned with the UAE’s national priorities.
