Abu dhabi: New research reveals that the UAE has moved beyond experimentation, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into core government functions. It is grappling with issues of leadership, procurement, sovereignty, and organizational redesign that many governments are only beginning to confront.
According to Emirates News Agency, the research published by Yango Group and INSEAD highlights that governments treating AI as part of their core infrastructure are better positioned to scale AI sustainably across public services. The paper, "AI as Public Infrastructure: Lessons from the UAE for Government Transformation," argues that AI in government has reached a structural inflection point, with many public sectors reporting an accumulation of pilots without scale, fragmented ownership, and uncertainty over governance.
The research emphasizes that the central question is no longer whether AI can be deployed but how it is designed, governed, and institutionalized to deliver sustained public value. The UAE serves as an instructive case, having moved beyond experimentation over the past decade by integrating AI into government functions. This progress is attributed to concentrated leadership commitment, domain-level redesign of processes, and strategic use of procurement and partnerships.
Concrete examples include the National AI Strategy 2031, the TAMM platform's evolution into an AI-enabled system, Dubai's AI acceleration initiative, and Abu Dhabi's infrastructure-first approach. These initiatives highlight a commitment to becoming an "AI-native government."
The study also reviews global approaches, such as in the UK, Singapore, the United States, the EU, and China, showing that outcomes vary based on governance, procurement, and evaluation of AI initiatives. Failures often stem from data fragmentation, talent gaps, and outdated governance frameworks rather than model performance.
Led by INSEAD Professor Peter Zemsky, the research involved interviews with senior government officials and AI leaders across the UAE. Contributions came from the Dubai Future Foundation, Department of Government Enablement - Abu Dhabi, Mubadala, Core42, and Inception, with Yango Group providing operational insights.
Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group Middle East, stated that the question is now about organizing governance and infrastructure to support AI at scale. Mark Mortensen, Associate Dean of INSEAD Middle East Campus, added that scaling AI is an institutional challenge and the UAE offers valuable lessons for governments worldwide.