Mohammed bin Rashid approves establishment of Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the establishment of the Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data. The new authority will serve as a unified national umbrella for managing data, artificial intelligence, and digital government in the UAE, and will report to the Cabinet. His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, has been appointed to lead the authority. In a post on X, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “We have approved the establishment of the Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data to be the unified national umbrella for managing data, artificial intelligence and digital government in the UAE and it will report to the Cabinet.... We have assigned Omar Sultan Al Olama to lead the Authority.... Our goal is a more efficient, flexible and proactive government, and to employ technology to serve humanity and create a better future for future generations.” He added: “We are continuing to develop the government of the future… a government with tools supported by data and artificial intelligence assistance… faster in performance and decision-making, and with the ability to serve humanity, create better opportunities, and develop services.” New federal framework The Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data is a new federal body reporting to the Cabinet and headed by a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. It will unify the competencies of the Artificial Intelligence Office, the Information and Digital Government Sector at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, and the Emirates Data Office. Key responsibilities The authority will lead the UAE’s data, artificial intelligence and digital government ecosystem under one umbrella, while aligning national priorities to support a unified digital government system using “Agentic AI” assistive technologies. Its functions include proposing national policies, legislation, strategies and programmes, and ensuring their alignment and integration at both federal and local levels. The authority will also lead the national artificial intelligence strategy and work to increase its contribution to the country’s GDP. In addition, it will manage the design and delivery of integrated digital government services to enhance customer experience, as well as oversee government data platforms, ensuring their quality, standardisation, availability and sharing in line with advanced governance frameworks.