Al Gergawi: UAE Aims for 50% Government Operations Powered by Agentic AI in Two Years
Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Agentic AI Project Executive Committee, inaugurated the Agentic AI Retreat at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. The event gathered over 400 senior government officials to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in the UAE.
During his address, Al Gergawi outlined a strategic framework aimed at transitioning 50% of government sectors, services, and operations to Agentic AI models within the next two years. This initiative positions the UAE as the first government globally to undertake such a comprehensive transformation.
Leadership Vision and Historical Context
Al Gergawi emphasized that the directives from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, have been instrumental in guiding UAE government teams toward achieving national objectives in the AI sector.
He noted that the UAE’s journey in artificial intelligence began in 2017 with the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the appointment of the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. According to Al Gergawi, the UAE now leads the world in AI adoption, boasting a rate exceeding 70%, as reported by Microsoft.
Al Gergawi acknowledged that this achievement is the result of nine years of focused efforts in developing strategies, establishing a supportive legislative environment, and investing in the sector. He stated that the UAE is now recognized as the most AI-mature government, society, and financial sector globally.
Evolution of Government-Citizen Relations
Tracing the evolution of government in the UAE, Al Gergawi highlighted key milestones that have redefined the relationship between the government and its citizens. The e-Government initiative launched in 2001 by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was followed by the transition to Smart Government in 2013, which mandated 24/7 service delivery. The introduction of Agentic AI marks a pivotal moment in this evolution, advancing beyond mere task automation to create a government capable of proactive planning and execution.
Al Gergawi remarked that each era has brought fundamental changes, comparing the Industrial Revolution’s impact on the economy and the internet’s influence on knowledge to the transformative potential of Agentic AI across various sectors.
Distinction of Agentic AI
Al Gergawi clarified that Agentic AI is fundamentally different from generative AI tools. It goes beyond information retrieval to execute integrated task chains and manage operations independently. He likened it to having an additional team member who performs tasks precisely as directed.
He emphasized that AI is not a replacement for human workers but rather a tool that liberates them, allowing for increased creativity and innovation. Al Gergawi stated that AI provides individuals with more time for family, entrepreneurship, and the development of new ideas that benefit the economy and society.
Currently, the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs operates approximately 140 Agentic AI assistants on the GovAI platform, showcasing the early implementation of this technology.
Economic Potential and Implementation Tracks
Al Gergawi pointed out that global studies indicate AI could enhance workforce productivity by over 40% in certain sectors. He expressed confidence that AI will play a crucial role in achieving the UAE’s national economic target of AED 3 trillion by 2031, with expectations to meet this goal ahead of schedule. With a federal workforce of 80,000 employees, he noted that Agentic AI could significantly enhance their efficiency, presenting a historic opportunity for economic growth.
He outlined five integrated implementation tracks, each spearheaded by senior federal ministers:
Capabilities and Training: Led by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, this track aims to train 80,000 federal employees as Agentic AI experts, effectively increasing their productive capacity to that of 800,000 employees. Training will be linked to promotions and performance evaluations.
AI Technologies and Data: Under the leadership of Omar Sultan Al Olama, this track will establish clear procedures for adopting AI across government entities, along with approved guidelines and a secure infrastructure for AI models.
Operations and Institutional Support: Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi leads this track, which focuses on transitioning 50% of institutional operations to Agentic AI systems, covering areas such as human resources and finance.
Strategy and Governance: Huda Al Hashimi oversees this track, which aims for a tenfold increase in the speed of complex decision-making and a 100% improvement in decision accuracy through AI-driven strategies.
Government Services: Mohammed Rashid bin Tuleiah leads this initiative to transition 50% of government services to Agentic AI models, aligning with the leadership’s vision for the UAE to be the best government in service delivery.
Al Gergawi concluded by expressing confidence that the UAE would exceed the goal of having 50% of government operations powered by Agentic AI within two years. He reiterated that this initiative is not merely a technological project but a strategic national undertaking aimed at establishing the world’s best government.
Source: www.zawya.com
Read all the latest developments and breaking updates in the Latest News section.
Published on 2026-05-20 19:20:00 • By the Editorial Desk
