No forms, no fuss: Abu Dhabi wants AI to eliminate government paperwork 

Abu Dhabi is setting out an ambitious plan to make artificial intelligence central to how its government operates. The emirate wants to become the world’s first “AI-native” government, with a 13 billion dirham investment allocated to transforming its digital services by 2027.

AI at the center of public services

The initiative is focused on using AI to personalize government services and handle straightforward tasks. That approach would place artificial intelligence within routine interactions between residents and public institutions, rather than limiting it to isolated technology projects.

The scale of the commitment—equivalent to $3.5 billion—signals the importance Abu Dhabi places on reshaping its government services. The target year of 2027 also gives the program a defined timetable for its digital transformation.

A closely watched government experiment

Abu Dhabi’s ambition extends beyond adopting individual AI tools. By describing its goal as an “AI-native” government, the emirate is presenting artificial intelligence as a foundation for public administration and service delivery.

The plan is also likely to attract attention from Western governments, which the source describes as often cautious about technology. Abu Dhabi’s progress will therefore provide a closely watched example of how AI can be applied to government operations and public-facing services.

What the plan means

The investment creates a major government technology program centered on personalization, automation and digital services. Its outcome will depend on how effectively Abu Dhabi turns that ambition into functioning services by 2027, but the commitment places the emirate among the most prominent public-sector adopters of AI.