U.A.E. Establishes Centralized Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority
The United Arab Emirates has formally approved the creation of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority, a centralized federal body designed to consolidate the nation’s digital governance, public data infrastructure, and machine-learning capabilities.
The initiative, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, will streamline the country's technology portfolio by merging operations previously managed by three separate entities: the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; the Digital Government Sector at the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority; and the UAE Data Office.
The newly formed authority will report directly to the U.A.E. Cabinet. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, has been appointed as its chairman.
According to government directives, the authority is tasked with drafting national public policies, proposing legislation, and standardizing the integration of "agentic" AI systems - autonomous software models capable of executing complex tasks independently - across federal and local government sectors.
Architects of the policy state that the consolidation aims to leverage data assets to accelerate state decision-making, eliminate administrative redundancies, and expand the digital economy's contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product. The regulatory mandate also extends to overseeing national cyber security protocols, managing cross-agency data sharing, and establishing bilateral international partnerships in tech regulation.
Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office
Andrew Shelepnytsky Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.
Vladyslava Garkusha
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