Abu Dhabi to invest in $3.54 billion government digital strategy
New 2025-2027 strategy aims for 100% AI integration in public services
#UAE #digitalstrategy – Abu Dhabi Executive Council has approved a landmark AED 13 billion ($3.54 billion) digital strategy for 2025-2027, which will make it the first government globally to fully integrate artificial intelligence into all government digital services by 2027. The strategy aims to digitise and automate 100% of processes, adopt sovereign cloud computing, and add AED 24 billion ($6.53b) to the emirate’s GDP, while creating 5,000 jobs to support Emiratisation.
SO WHAT? – Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in digitising all aspects of the emirate’s government over the past 7-8 years, together with some significant data transformation and cloud initiatives. In parallel the government has invested in the development of sovereign AI, local R&D and ensuring that Abu Dhabi has the talent to plan, develop and execute large-scale AI projects. The $3.54 billion investment in digital infrastructure announced today is a demonstration of the fact that the emirate is ready to harness AI to take digital government to the next level.
Key highlights of Abu Dhabi’s digital strategy:
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, chaired the first Executive Council meeting of 2025 today approving a AED 13 billion ($3.54 billion) Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
The Digital Strategy will make Abu Dhabi the first government globally to fully integrate AI into its digital services by 2027. The strategy is expected to position the emirate as a global leader in AI-driven government and boost government efficiency by reducing operational costs using AI.
The comprehensive digital strategy will be implemented by the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE) in collaboration with Abu Dhabi government entities.
The strategy includes achieving 100% adoption of sovereign cloud computing for government operations and digitising and automating 100% of processes to streamline procedures, enhance productivity and improve operational efficiency.
More than 200 innovative AI solutions will be developed and implemented across government services, together with robust digital guidelines and frameworks to mitigate cybersecurity risks to anticipate future challenges.
The strategy is projected to contribute AED 24 billion ($6.53b( to Abu Dhabi’s GDP (gross domestic product) by 2027 while creating more than 5,000 local jobs.
The Government Digital Strategy includes the development of a unified digital enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, streamlining processes and enhancing productivity and efficiency.
The Government Digital Strategy also aims to transform the customer experience ecosystem and elevate the delivery of AI-supported government services, improving the quality of life for citizens and residents.
The strategy also seeks to accelerate economic development by creating an integrated environment that attracts global investment and leading companies..
Enhancing the emirate’s digital services will also help to attract foreign investment and leading global companies to establish themselves in Abu Dhabi.
The Government Digital Strategy builds on 10 years of digital government effforts including initiatives such as the TAMM platform and the Abu Dhabi Program for Effortless Customer Experience.
ZOOM OUT – Abu Dhabi’s strategy aligns with the broader UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. According to a PWC study, AI is expected to contribute some $96 billion to the UAE’s economy by 2030 and account for 13.6 percent of the GDP. The new Government Digital Strategy could elevate the nation’s capital to a clear position of global leadership, leveraging AI to create some of the world’s most advanced digital public services.
Updated 21-Jan-25
Read more about Abu Dhabi Executive Council announcements:
Abu Dhabi to form Smart & Autonomous Systems Council (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi forms AI and Advanced Technology Council (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi announces new smart mobility cluster (Middle East AI News)
R&D moves up Abu Dhabi's agenda (Middle East AI News)