Artificial Intelligence in the UAE: Keeping Pace with Progress in the Service of Humanity
The success of the United Arab Emirates is not confined to a single sector or a specific field. What we are witnessing is not a fleeting boom, but rather sustainable development and growth, an ideal investment environment, and a way of life that makes every resident a valued individual with access to the foundations of well-being—particularly in light of the remarkable scientific progress achieved in the field of artificial intelligence, an area in which the UAE has become one of the world’s leading adopters.
The United Arab Emirates has placed artificial intelligence at the heart of its national development strategy and digital economy, with a clear objective of becoming a global leader in the adoption and use of smart technologies across various sectors.
Since the announcement of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, government and private-sector initiatives have accelerated to deploy smart solutions and expand their adoption in education, healthcare, industry, and digital government.
Recently, the government launched the “Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index,” a system that measures the readiness of federal entities to adopt and use AI efficiently. The results showed a 97% rate of AI usage across federal government institutions, indicating a strong and widespread integration of smart technologies in public services.
This step reflects the UAE’s transition from the experimental phase to large-scale practical implementation, strengthening smart capabilities in public administration and decision-making.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that the number of companies operating in the artificial intelligence sector in the emirate has reached 673, representing a 61% growth in just one year (between June 2023 and June 2024). This highlights unprecedented expansion in the sector and strong momentum in the establishment of AI-driven projects.
In addition, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that AI-specialized companies are operating in Dubai, supported by advanced infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and investment in technology.
Initiatives have also been launched to train one million people in AI skills, in an effort to build strong human capital in this field, further reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for advanced digital skills.
Moreover, the UAE has strengthened its international presence through major partnerships and investments in artificial intelligence amounting to billions of dollars, alongside a government commitment to invest more than $100 billion in AI technologies, according to recent economic reports.
The UAE has also announced global initiatives such as “AI for Development,” valued at $1 billion, to support artificial intelligence projects in Africa, reflecting its ambition to export technological expertise to countries of the Global South.
It is worth noting that the UAE relies on artificial intelligence to improve essential services, such as:
Smart energy solutions and the management of electricity and water networks, enhancing the efficiency of vital sectors.
The development of proprietary and local AI models, along with advanced analytical tools used to improve urban planning and government services.
These steps confirm that the UAE does not view AI merely as a technological tool, but as a central pillar in building smart and sustainable cities. The UAE has also been ranked among the advanced countries globally in terms of the quality of artificial intelligence skills, making notable progress in the education and training of citizens and specialized professionals compared to previous years.
This advanced standing reflects the UAE’s success in transitioning from a technology adopter to an influential global player in the field. Over recent months, the development of artificial intelligence in the UAE has gone beyond increasing the number of tech projects to include its integration into government services, the development of human capabilities, the strengthening of international partnerships, and investment in smart infrastructure. All of these factors make the UAE a model regionally and globally in adopting and applying artificial intelligence as a driving force for growth and innovation.
