The United Arab Emirates has approved the creation of a new federal body designed to lead the country’s artificial intelligence, data, and digital government agenda. This new entity is called the UAE Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority.
The newly established UAE Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority will report directly to the UAE Cabinet. It will be chaired by Omar Sultan Al Olama, the country’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.
The move marks a major step in the UAE’s plan to place AI at the center of federal governance, public services, and national economic development.
A Unified Authority for AI, Data, and Digital Government
The new authority will bring together the responsibilities of three existing government bodies. These are: 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 Emirates Data Office.
The UAE believes that the merger of these roles will help reduce fragmentation across government entities. Furthermore, it will create a unified national framework for AI strategy, data governance and digital public services.
The authority’s mandate includes developing national AI policies, proposing legislation, managing government data platforms, improving digital services, and supporting the contribution of artificial intelligence to the UAE’s GDP.
Building an AI-Powered Government
The launch reflects the UAE’s wider push toward what it describes as a future-ready government powered by data and advanced AI systems.
A central focus of the new authority will be the development of proactive and integrated digital government services. The UAE wants public services to be faster, more connected and responsive to citizens and residents. It does not want traditional paperwork-intensive processes anymore.
The authority is also expected to be instrumental in helping to coordinate the use of agentic AI across federal entities. Agentic AI is the name given to systems that are able to plan, act and complete tasks with greater autonomy. It is a priority area for governments looking at the next phase of digital transformation.
Why the new UAE AI authority matters
Governments around the world face many challenges in adopting AI at scale. These include siloed data systems, inconsistent policies, poor inter-agency coordination and fuzzy governance frameworks.
To overcome these barriers, the UAE has established a new Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority. This is a single central body that will oversee the direction of AI, digital government transformation and federal data integration.
This could help the UAE to accelerate AI adoption in public sector operations. At the same time, it ensures a stronger oversight and alignment between ministries and federal entities.
Part of a Larger Restructuring of AI Governance
The authorization follows a series of recent AI-oriented government reforms in the UAE.
In April 2026 the country renamed its Ministerial Development Council to the Ministerial Council for Artificial Intelligence and Development. This gives AI transformation a more prominent role at the executive level.
The UAE has also announced a 90-day agentic AI sprint across federal entities. This compels government departments to identify and start implementing AI-powered services within a short timeframe.
Together these efforts demonstrate how quickly the UAE is integrating AI into its government infrastructure. It does so not just as a technology tool but as a national governance pillar.
UAE Cements Leadership in AI Governance
The UAE has long been an early adopter of government AI. For example, in 2017, it became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.
Building on that progress, the new federal AI and data authority gives the country a dedicated institution. It will oversee national AI strategy, digital services, and government data platforms.
As a result, the UAE’s latest move shows clear ambition in the race for artificial intelligence leadership. In addition, the country aims to build a government system where AI, data, and digital services work closely across the public sector.
The Bigger Picture
The launch of the UAE Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority is not just a bureaucratic change. It is a structural change, putting artificial intelligence in a direct role in how the federal government plans, delivers services and manages data.
In the case of the UAE, the goal is to establish a faster, more proactive and more efficient government. For the global AI sector, it is yet another example of how national governments are reimagining institutions around artificial intelligence.
With AI adoption accelerating globally, the UAE’s centralized strategy may be one to watch closely by other governments. They too aim to modernize public services and enhance digital governance.
