By The UAE has created a dedicated Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority, merging three existing government bodies into a single national entity reporting directly to the Cabinet. The move, approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, brings together the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office, the digital government arm of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, and the recently formed Emirates Data Office under one structure.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, has been appointed to lead the new Authority, which will oversee the national AI strategy, unify data platforms, set standards for digital governance, and support cybersecurity initiatives across government. Officials described the goal as building a government capable of running on data and autonomous AI systems that can monitor changes, offer recommendations, and manage operations with minimal human intervention.
The consolidation follows a broader push that has seen the UAE announce plans to shift roughly half of government services to autonomous AI systems within two years, alongside the launch of an AI-generated government spokesperson designed to represent official communications. Beginning in the 2025–26 academic year, AI also became a formal subject in UAE public school curricula, making the country an early mover in embedding AI literacy into national education.
For businesses, the new Authority is also expected to take ownership of finalizing long-pending Implementing Regulations under the UAE’s Personal Data Protection Law, which have remained unissued despite the law being in force for several years. Companies operating across free zones and the mainland will be watching closely for how enforcement and compliance expectations evolve under the unified body.
Sources: Global Government Forum, “UAE creates dedicated artificial intelligence and data authority” (globalgovernmentforum.com); Gulf Business, “UAE to establish new AI authority” (gulfbusiness.com)
