The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a sweeping new government transformation model that will see artificial intelligence deployed at an unprecedented scale across public service operations.

The initiative, disclosed on Thursday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum through his official X  handle, follows directives from UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Under the new framework, the UAE plans to have 50 per cent of government sectors, services, and operations run on agentic AI within the next two years, positioning the country as a global pioneer in large-scale autonomous government systems.

According to Sheikh Mohammed, the shift reflects a fundamental redefinition of how government work will be executed.

“AI is no longer a tool. It analyzes, decides, executes, and improves in real time. It will become our executive partner to enhance services, accelerate decisions, and raise efficiency,” he stated.

He added that the transformation is anchored on a strict performance timeline, with progress to be measured by the speed of adoption, quality of implementation, and the integration of AI into government workflow.

The initiative also includes a nationwide capacity-building programme. Sheikh Mohammed said every federal government employee will undergo AI training to strengthen national capability in AI-driven governance.

Oversight of the programme will be led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while execution will be coordinated by a dedicated taskforce chaired by Mohammad Al Gergawi.

Despite the scale of automation planned, officials stressed that the guiding principle remains people-centred governance.

“The world is changing. Technology is accelerating. Our principle remains constant: people come first. Our goal is a government that is faster, more responsive, and more impactful,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The UAE’s latest move further consolidates its ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and digital government innovation.