Key takeaway: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved the creation of the Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data, a single national body overseeing data, AI and digital government, reporting directly to the Cabinet. It will be chaired by AI Minister Omar Sultan Al Olama. For job seekers, the move points to rising demand for AI engineers, data scientists, AI governance experts and Agentic AI developers across the public sector and beyond.
The UAE has approved a new federal body to bring its data and artificial intelligence efforts under one roof. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority will lead the national AI strategy and work to grow the digital economy’s share of GDP.
Here is what the authority will do, and why it matters for anyone building a career in tech.
What the new authority is
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved the establishment of the authority. It will be led by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
In his statement, Sheikh Mohammed described it as “the single national body responsible for data, artificial intelligence and digital government in the UAE, reporting directly to the Cabinet.”
He framed the goal in plain terms: “Our goal is a government that is faster, smarter and always one step ahead, one that uses technology to serve people and build a better future for the next generation.” He added that the UAE wants a government “that runs on data and agentic AI” and is “built around people, not paperwork.”
What the authority will be responsible for
The mandate is broad. According to the announcement, the authority will:
- Unify national directions for a single digital government system powered by Agentic AI.
- Propose national policies, legislation and strategies for AI and data.
- Align digital initiatives across federal and local levels.
- Develop and lead the national AI strategy and grow the digital economy’s GDP contribution.
- Manage government data for quality, availability and sharing between federal entities.
- Run AI-powered national data platforms for evidence-based decisions.
- Set standards for data and AI management, digital transformation and government services, and check compliance across federal bodies.
- Build national AI capabilities through research, development and technical advisory work.
- Strengthen international partnerships and support cybersecurity and government information security.
Why this matters for jobs
This is where it gets practical for residents and job seekers. A national push of this scale tends to pull demand for skills along with it.
The UAE recently announced plans to train 80,000 government employees in Agentic AI, equipping the public sector to fold AI into daily operations and service delivery. That alone is expected to lift demand for AI specialists, data professionals and digital transformation experts.
Experts expect appetite to grow for roles such as AI engineers, machine learning specialists, data scientists, AI governance experts and Agentic AI developers. If you are weighing where to focus, our breakdown of the UAE AI Strategy 2031 and its GDP target maps out where the opportunities sit, and our guide to entry-level AI jobs in the UAE is a useful starting point for newcomers.
The shift also reshapes existing roles rather than simply replacing them. Research covered in our piece on how AI is merging UAE roles instead of cutting them found most regional firms are integrating AI into jobs, not eliminating them. Dubai’s own Jobs of the Future report splits the market into roles AI will create, change or phase out, which is worth a read if you are planning your next step.
The UAE’s wider AI push
The new authority is part of a longer arc. The UAE was one of the first countries to appoint an AI minister, back in 2017, and has since launched a national AI strategy, invested in digital infrastructure and rolled out AI-powered government services.
The current focus on Agentic AI, systems that carry out tasks, make decisions and manage workflows with limited human input, signals where the country is heading. As that adoption spreads through government and industry, the demand for AI talent is expected to climb. For those already working, building familiarity with these tools is becoming part of staying competitive, a theme we cover in AI and your career in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UAE’s new AI and Data Authority? It is a federal body approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to oversee data, artificial intelligence and digital government as a single national entity, reporting directly to the Cabinet.
Who will lead the authority? Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, will chair it.
What does Agentic AI mean? Agentic AI refers to systems that perform tasks, make decisions and manage workflows with little human involvement, going beyond simple chat or automation tools.
How will this affect jobs in the UAE? The move is expected to raise demand for AI engineers, machine learning specialists, data scientists, AI governance experts and Agentic AI developers, alongside the planned training of 80,000 government employees in Agentic AI.
Is the UAE new to AI policy? No. The UAE appointed the world’s first AI minister in 2017 and has since built a national strategy, digital infrastructure and AI-driven government services.
What skills should I focus on for AI careers here? Machine learning, data science, programming, AI project management and AI governance are consistently in demand, with Agentic AI development now emerging as a distinct area.
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