Dubai announces task force to accelerate AI adoption
New Dubai AI infrastructure platform and unicorn programme also approved
#UAE #policy - Dubai Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved a number of new AI projects. Announced during the second 2025 meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology Development and the Digital Economy. Sheikh Hamdan approved the formation of the Dubai AI Acceleration Taskforce to accelerate public sector adoption of AI, strengthen collaboration among 27 government entities, and align AI adoption strategies within the government’s integrated framework. Also approved was an AI Infrastructure Empowerment Platform providing government entities with a secure and fully integrated digital environment, empowering entities to develop AI solutions faster and cheaper.
Meanwhile, Unicorn 30 Programme developed by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy was also approved, to fast-track 30 emerging companies towards billion-dollar valuations. The moves support Dubai’s vision of becoming the world’s fastest and smartest city to adopt future technologies.
SO WHAT? - The initiatives are part of a coordinated approach to AI adoption, within government-wide frameworks, rather than fragmented individual agency projects. By establishing shared infrastructure and a central taskforce, coordinating with chief AI officers across government entities, Dubai is creating an integrated ecosystem that reduces costs and accelerates deployment through shared resources. It is also carefully aligning AI deployment with its overall AI strategy frameworks.
Here are some key details about today’s government decisions:
Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved a number of new AI projects. Announced during the second 2025 meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology Development and the Digital Economy.
Sheikh Hamdan approved the following:
The formation of the Dubai AI Acceleration Taskforce to accelerate public sector adoption of AI.
The creation of an AI Infrastructure Empowerment Platform.
The Unicorn 30 Programme developed by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
The Dubai AI Acceleration Taskforce was established following comprehensive discussions conducted by Dubai government AI agency Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence with chief AI officers from 27 government entities, identifying key challenges and opportunities in the field.
The taskforce will focus on enhancing institutional integration, accelerating decision-making processes, and driving measurable impact across sectors by expediting adoption of the latest AI technologies within an integrated framework supporting Dubai’s digital transformation.
The AI Infrastructure Empowerment Platform provides government entities with a secure, fully integrated digital environment combining advanced infrastructure with ready-to-use smart services, enabling agencies to develop AI-driven solutions with higher quality, faster delivery and lower costs.
The Unicorn 30 Programme was developed by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy with participation from 80 local and international companies specialising in entrepreneurship and startup development, featuring 10 key initiatives covering financing, growth, regulation and governance.
The initiatives align with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the emirate’s economic development strategy, and follow directives from UAE Vice President and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to build an integrated digital economy powered by knowledge and innovation.
ZOOM OUT - Dubai has systematically built-out AI frameworks, infrastructure and services across government since launching the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence in June 2023. In April 2024, the emirate announced the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence to align all AI initiatives under one strategic plan, followed by the appointment of 22 Chief AI Officers across government entities in June 2024. These officers now lead departments including Dubai Police, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Municipality, and the Roads and Transport Authority. The coordinated approach consolidates and aligns previous initiatives where individual authorities pursued their ownAI strategies without emirate-wide coordination or shared governance frameworks.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]