The UAE is targeting a major shift towards Agentic AI, with plans to transform at least 50% of federal government sectors, services and operations within two years. The initiative, announced under directives from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aims to use AI systems for more autonomous execution, faster decision-making and proactive government services.
The project is already moving from strategy to implementation. The UAE Cabinet has approved a governance framework, identified Phase One service categories and announced a programme to train 80,000 federal employees in Agentic AI.
- Location: UAE federal government
- Organisation: UAE Government and federal ministries and entities
- Status: Implementation underway, with a two-year transformation target
- Who is affected: UAE residents, citizens, businesses, visitors and federal government employees
- Business impact: Faster government processes and greater use of AI across public-sector operations
- What’s next: Federal entities will begin transitioning selected services and operations under the Agentic AI framework
The UAE is working to transform 50% of government sectors, services and operations using Agentic AI within two years, as part of a major shift towards more autonomous and AI-powered government services. The plan was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum under the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The project is designed to improve government efficiency, speed up decision-making and create more proactive services. For residents and businesses, the long-term aim is simpler: government services that can respond faster, reduce manual processes and use data more effectively.
The latest developments show that the initiative is no longer just a future plan. Federal entities are now working within an approved implementation framework, while the UAE prepares its workforce and technology systems for the transition.
What is the UAE’s Agentic AI government plan?
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can do more than simply generate answers or analyse information. The UAE’s government framework is focused on systems that can carry out tasks, support decision-making and complete a sequence of actions with greater autonomy.
According to the UAE Government’s framework, the goal is to redesign policies, processes and procedures around AI capabilities and enable smart systems to perform tasks proactively and accurately.
The target is ambitious: at least 50% of federal government sectors, services and operations are expected to transition to Agentic AI-based operating models within two years.
The project will be introduced in phases across ministries and federal entities, with performance and impact monitored throughout the rollout. A dedicated taskforce, chaired by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, is overseeing implementation under the supervision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Which government services could move to Agentic AI first?
The UAE Cabinet has already approved the list of federal government services that will transition under Phase One of the Agentic AI Project.
These services fall under four main categories:
- Citizens’ services
- Residents’ services
- Business sector services
- General public services
The official announcements do not yet provide a complete public list of every individual service that will be converted. However, the approval of the Phase One categories confirms that the project is moving towards practical implementation.
Each ministry and federal entity will form internal teams involving leaders responsible for government services, operations, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. These teams will set their own targets and performance indicators as they work towards the 50% transformation goal.
The UAE is also preparing 80,000 government employees
One of the biggest additional developments is the UAE’s plan to train 80,000 federal government employees in Agentic AI.
The Federal Government Employees’ Skills and Capabilities Development Programme will cover five occupational groups: leadership, technical, specialist, general workforce and train-the-trainer categories.
According to the UAE Cabinet, the programme is being developed with national universities and specialised global technology companies. A dedicated digital platform powered by Agentic AI tools is also planned to provide personalised learning pathways based on an employee’s role and existing skills.
This is an important part of the wider project. The UAE’s strategy is not simply about replacing existing processes with technology. The government is also preparing employees to work with, manage and develop AI-powered systems.
Earlier implementation work also involved more than 300 participants from 50 federal entities, who worked on mapping services, projects and operations ahead of applying Agentic AI models.
How will the UAE manage the technology and data behind Agentic AI?
The latest Agentic AI discussions have focused heavily on the technology, data and infrastructure required to support the transition.
This matters because autonomous AI systems need reliable access to data, secure digital infrastructure and clear governance before they can be used across government services.
The UAE has already taken further steps to strengthen its national AI governance. In June, the UAE approved the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority, which is expected to help bring together AI, data and digital government efforts under a unified national framework.
The authority’s responsibilities include strengthening government data integration, improving data quality and supporting digital infrastructure capable of connecting government systems and platforms.
The wider Agentic AI programme is also linked to the UAE’s broader push towards proactive digital services, where government systems can use available information to simplify procedures and reduce the need for repeated manual applications.
What does this mean for UAE residents and businesses?
For most people, the success of the Agentic AI Project will ultimately be measured by whether government services become easier and faster to use.
The UAE Government has said the transformation aims to streamline procedures, accelerate service delivery and improve the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making.
Businesses could also benefit from quicker processing and more integrated government services, particularly as the first implementation phase includes business sector services.
However, the transition will take place in stages, and residents should not expect all government services to suddenly become autonomous. The Cabinet’s framework requires ministries and federal entities to set implementation targets and assess results as the programme progresses.
The government’s focus on data governance, infrastructure and employee training also shows that the rollout will involve changes behind the scenes before many of those changes become visible to the public.
The UAE’s Agentic AI plan could change how residents, businesses and government employees interact with public services over the next two years.
Residents and citizens could eventually see faster and more proactive services.
Businesses may benefit from streamlined procedures and quicker government transactions.
Government employees are being prepared for new roles that involve working alongside AI systems rather than simply using traditional digital platforms.
The immediate next step is implementation across federal entities, beginning with approved service categories and internal transformation targets. The government will also continue measuring the impact of the new operating model as it expands.
FAQs
What is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI refers to AI systems designed to carry out tasks and sequences of actions with greater autonomy, rather than only responding to individual prompts or generating information.
Is the UAE replacing all government services with AI?
No. The current UAE target is to transition at least 50% of federal government sectors, services and operations to Agentic AI models within two years.
When will the UAE’s Agentic AI transformation happen?
The project has a two-year implementation timeline. Federal entities are already working under an approved governance framework, with Phase One service categories identified.
Which government services will use Agentic AI?
The UAE has confirmed four Phase One categories: citizens’ services, residents’ services, business sector services and general public services. A full public list of individual services has not yet been announced.
Will government employees be replaced by Agentic AI?
The UAE’s official plan focuses on workforce development alongside AI adoption. The government has approved a programme to train 80,000 federal employees across different occupational categories.
The UAE’s push to bring Agentic AI into half of its government services and operations is now moving from strategy towards implementation. With a federal governance framework, Phase One service categories and large-scale employee training already approved, the next two years will determine how quickly these plans translate into real changes for residents and businesses.
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