Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH / MUDHI ALOBTHANI / SARA ALZAABI (DUBAI)
The UAE has long positioned itself as a global leader in innovation, fostering environments where new ideas can be tested, refined and transformed into real public-sector solutions. At the recently concluded World Governments Summit, experts highlighted how experimentation, AI, and citizen-focused solutions are transforming public services.
Dr Raymond Khoury, Senior Partner at Arthur D. Little (ADL) and Head of Technology and Innovation Management and Public Sector Practice in the Middle East, said the UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi, built a unique model for government innovation through experimentation and collaboration.
"The UAE has been a leader in innovation for many years, setting up sandboxes for experimentation and piloting new ideas, as well as establishing incubation facilities within government," Dr Khoury told Aletihad during an interview on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
According to Khoury, ideas from new thinkers and innovators are continuously brought forward and transformed into government solutions. "This makes the government an active player in planning, designing and realising innovative solutions.”
Abu Dhabi, he added, provides a prime example of digital governance through the TAMM platform.
"Services are structured seamlessly and securely," Khoury said, noting the important lessons learned as TAMM moved from pilot into full-scale implementation.
Dr Sulaiman Al Kaabi, CEO of the Future Foresight Foundation, highlighted that “artificial intelligence is no longer merely a supporting technological tool, but rather a core element of modern governance.” In today’s tech-driven era, AI can support predictive decision-making, reduce risks, and strengthen governments’ ability to respond proactively.
“Comprehensive digital transformation is the foundation for building a seamless, customer-centric government experience,” Dr Al Kaabi said, noting that redesigning services through integrated digital systems improves efficiency, cuts costs, and increases public satisfaction.
Dr Khoury emphasised that rapid technological developments are moving governments into a new phase. "We are transitioning from a digital government that is proactive to an immersive government that functions on behalf of its constituents."
The future will be shaped by digital, immersive and interactive public services, he added.
AI Sovereignty and Smart Cities
Speaking on the most critical trends shaping the future of governments, Ahmed Musfique from Deloitte Middle East emphasised that while artificial intelligence dominates global conversations, the real issue lies deeper.
“It’s not just about AI itself,” he explained. “It’s about the sovereignty of AI — making sure data stays within the country and building infrastructure that is safe for governments and citizens in this region.”
Khoury affirmed the importance of establishing strong regulatory frameworks that ensure data is safe and sovereign. "Without trust, any digital transformation will not be accepted by the population, and the UAE takes this very seriously and leads globally in this area.”
When it comes to building smart cities, the conversation has shifted from digital infrastructure to holistic city management. It now touches on “how we manage waste, water, sustainability, and smart buildings”, Musfique said.
The success of smart living, he added, relies on a harmonious relationship between people and technology.
“From a citizen’s perspective, it should be hands off, eyes on. You shouldn’t feel the technology — things should just work autonomously,” Musfique said.
He extended this human-centric approach to healthcare, highlighting the shift toward preventive and personalised medicine powered by AI and wearable technologies.
“Healthcare today is about prevention. Wearables give us real-time insights, allowing personalised guidance on lifestyle, nutrition, and wellbeing — long before issues appear.”
Fostering Collaboration
Faisal Al Hammadi, Partner at Kearney Institute, highlighted that from a governance perspective, effective policymaking is built on inclusive collaboration.
“It’s crucial to bring together governments, the private sector, policymakers, think tanks, and the voice of citizens,” Al Hammadi explained. “The World Governments Summit connects all these players to shape policies not just for the UAE, but to export best practices to the rest of the world.”
He noted that the summit plays a direct role in rethinking how governments serve their people.
“It helps governments rethink citizens’ aspirations and how to be more proactive in addressing needs — whether in housing, education, healthcare, or other key sectors,” Al Hammadi said.
Dr Fatma Lari, a future foresight expert, added that “achieving any real and tangible transformation begins with investing in people, their skills, and their capabilities. An innovative government, she stressed, depends on integrating technology with continuous learning and adaptive leadership.
She also noted that “society is a partner in government decision-making, not merely a recipient of services,” and future leadership must be flexible, participatory, and capable of managing uncertainty.
For Al Hammadi, this year’s summit provided a valuable opportunity to witness how far global governance conversations have advanced. “It has been a great opportunity to see how these discussions are evolving and how they can translate into better outcomes for citizens and government services alike.”
