Abu Dhabi Advances AI Vision as Council Charts Path to Transformative Innovation
Under the stewardship of senior leadership, Abu Dhabi's artificial intelligence governance body has convened to assess progress on ambitious initiatives spanning research, talent development and the Emirates' pioneering goal to become the world's first fully AI-native government by 2027.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has chaired a strategic meeting of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Vice Chairman of the council.
The gathering brought together senior government figures and technology leaders to review substantive progress across the emirate’s expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem. Deliberations centred on several cornerstone initiatives, including the UAE-US AI Campus—a landmark collaborative facility advancing research and development—alongside efforts to cultivate specialised talent and foster the proliferation of open artificial intelligence models throughout Abu Dhabi’s institutional landscape.
Becoming a World Pioneer in AI-Native Governance
A central focus of the meeting was Abu Dhabi Government’s transformative commitment to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027, representing an audacious reimagining of how public administration can leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance governance and service delivery at scale.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored that Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision transcends the mere adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. Rather, the emirate is committed to developing indigenous capabilities in AI, and building a diversified economy centred on the technologies themselves—positioning Abu Dhabi as a generator of intellectual property and innovation rather than merely a consumer of external solutions.
Investing in Knowledge and New Industries
Speaking at the council meeting, His Highness emphasised the paramount importance of directing investment capital, research initiatives and international partnerships towards establishing a robust scientific and technological foundation within the emirate. This multifaceted approach aims to enable Abu Dhabi’s people and institutions to generate proprietary knowledge, establish entirely new industries, and develop a model of government in which artificial intelligence constitutes the operational core.
The council session was attended by His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of the AIATC, alongside council members His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mubarak bin Nawi Al Mazrouei, His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, His Excellency Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, His Excellency Humaid Obaid Abushibs, His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab and Mr Peng Xiao. His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince, was also present.
Governance Architecture for Technological Advancement
The Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council functions as Abu Dhabi’s preeminent authority overseeing all artificial intelligence and advanced technology projects, investments and research undertakings. The council holds responsibility for establishing comprehensive policies, strategic frameworks, regulatory structures and investment priorities that shape the emirate’s technological trajectory and research agenda.
Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office