Two new members added to Abu Dhabi AI and technology council
Ruler of Abu Dhabi, UAE President issues resolution reconstituting AIATC
#UAE #policy - In his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has issued a resolution to reconstitute the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC). This is the second update of the council board since the AIATC was formed last year and adds two new members. As a result of the resolution, His Excellency Humaid Obaid Abushibs, President of the UAE Accountability Authority, and His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, have joined the council. The AIATC was formed in January 2024 to develop and implement Abu Dhabi’s policies and strategies related to research, infrastructure and investments in AI and advanced technology.
SO WHAT? - The resolution issued in February increased the size of AIATC’s board from its original six members to nine members. This new resolution adds two more council members, bringing the total number of seats on the council to eleven. All members of the council previous to the new resolution remain in place. The motivation for the reconstituting the council is likely to be to ensure further policy alignment with Abu Dhabi’s technology plans, including the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027, which aims to make Abu Dhabi the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027.
Here are all the details:
The President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi issued a resolution reconstituting the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC). This is the second time this year that the council membership has been updated and brings the total number of members to eleven.
As per the new resolution all members of the council prior to the update remain in place, which includes the six original members of the council appointed on its formation in January 2024. The resolution adds two new members to the council.
This week’s resolution adds the following members to the AIATC:
His Excellency Humaid Obaid Abushibs, President of the UAE Accountability Authority, and
His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, and board member of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
The reconstituted council retains all incumbent council members appointed over 2024 and 2025, but increases the size of the council from six members to eleven members.
AIATC continues to be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as Vice-Chairman.
The following members remain on the updated council:
H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala, vice chair of MGX and chair of the new Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) board of trustees;
Dr. Ahmed Mubarak bin Nawi Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President’s Office for Strategic Affairs, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office;
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology;
H.E. Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chair of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Finance, chair of UAE telecom group e&, a board member of MGX and a member of the board of trustees for MBZUAI;
His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, secretary general of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and chair of Abu Dhabi’s defence technology group EDGE;
H.E. Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and managing director and CEO of ADQ; to the council.
Peng Xiao, group chief executive officer of G42 and a board member of MGX.
ZOOM OUT - Formed in January 2024, the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) develops and implements policies and strategies related to research, infrastructure and investments in AI and advanced technology for Abu Dhabi. The council’s establishment brought technology strategy and policy development closer to Abu Dhabi’s leadership. Tasked with developing plans in collaboration with local and global partners, the AIATC drives regulation, implementation and funding for AI initiatives aligned with the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027, which aims to make Abu Dhabi the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. The council has ultimate responsibility for strategic investments in government transformation and digital ecosystem development in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Read more about Abu Dhabi’s AI strategy ecosystem:
Abu Dhabi reconstitutes AI policy council (Middle East AI News)
MBZUAI board change signals new phase in development (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi to form Smart & Autonomous Systems Council (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi forms global technology investment company (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi forms AI and Advanced Technology Council (Middle East AI News)
R&D moves up Abu Dhabi’s agenda (Middle East AI News)