Abu Dhabi launches AI policy training for leaders
DGE partners with Singapore school on AI policy, targets government directors
#UAE #training - Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement (DGE) has launched an AI-powered Policy Development Programme, an executive training initiative for Executive Directors and senior leaders involved in policy design and implementation. The DGE is delivering the programme with Singapore-based public policy institute the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), including an intensive module in Singapore covering impact assessment, policy communication, and the application of AI in government transformation. The programme aims to build the skills and systems needed to turn government strategy into measurable outcomes.
SO WHAT? - The latest in a wide range of government training and capacity building initiatives, the AI-powered Policy Development Programme is significant because it targets the people who shape what government does, not just how it delivers on what’s already been decided. Abu Dhabi’s $3.5 billion plan to transform its government into the first AI-powered government globally demands a lot from its leaders and managers. This is one of the key programmes designed to equip government leaders with the knowledge and skills they need for this ambitious AI transformation to succeed.
KEY POINTS:
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement (DGE) has launched an AI-powered Policy Development Programme for Executive Directors and equivalent senior leaders with strategic and operational roles in policy design, implementation and oversight.
The programme is delivered in partnership with Singapore-based public policy institute the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP).
Participants will develop skills to identify policy challenges, select appropriate policy tools, address implementation bottlenecks and engage stakeholders, applying international best practices aligned with Abu Dhabi’s government priorities.
A core module takes place in Singapore, covering impact assessment, behavioural insights, policy communication, monitoring and evaluation, transformational governance, Smart Nation Singapore, and AI in government transformation.
Dr Yasir Al Naqbi, Director General of GovAcademy at DGE, said the programme reflects a commitment to investing in government leaders to improve people-centred services and public sector performance.
The programme supports Abu Dhabi’s aim to build a government ecosystem that anticipates future needs through agile, evidence-based policies and services.
It follows the Abu Dhabi Executive Council’s approval in January 2025 of an AED 13 billion ($3.54b) Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
That strategy aims to make Abu Dhabi the first government globally to fully integrate AI into its digital services by 2027, including 100% adoption of sovereign cloud computing and full digitisation of government processes.
More than 200 AI solutions are planned for development and implementation across Abu Dhabi government services under the wider digital strategy.
ZOOM OUT - Abu Dhabi’s AED 13 billion strategy to integrate AI across every aspect of government builds on a decade of digital government work. It sets out to add AED 24 billion ($6.53b) to the emirate's GDP by 2027 while creating more than 5,000 local jobs. Beyond the AI integration target, the plan covers a unified digital ERP platform, a revamped customer experience ecosystem, and efforts to attract foreign investment and global companies to Abu Dhabi.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: DGE - Abu Dhabi
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