In a bold move that sets a new global precedent, H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the integration of artificial intelligence as an official advisory member of the Cabinet, starting in January 2026. This historic step underscores the UAE’s commitment to embracing future technologies at the core of its governance model.
Al Gergawi highlighted that this decision aligns with the forward-thinking vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the strategic leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. “The UAE doesn’t wait for the future—it builds it,” he said.
This AI advisory member will function as a digital entity powered by advanced artificial intelligence technologies. It will attend Cabinet meetings to deliver real-time insights, strategic analyses, international benchmarks, and predictive models that help shape national decisions with greater precision and agility.
According to Al Gergawi, this announcement is the result of years of strategic planning. The UAE was among the first countries to recognize the potential of AI when it launched the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2017. That vision aimed to integrate AI into 100% of government services by 2031 to boost efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness.
The UAE’s commitment to AI innovation has only strengthened since. In 2017, the country appointed the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Two years later, it established the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence—the first postgraduate institution in the world dedicated exclusively to AI research and development.
Al Gergawi noted that the decisions made today will benefit not only the current generation but also those to come. “By embedding AI at the core of governance, the UAE is laying the foundation for a new era of leadership—one that is data-driven, fast-moving, and deeply strategic,” he said.
Starting January 2026, the AI advisor will:
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Provide on-the-spot analysis of Cabinet agenda items
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Generate instant knowledge reports that support effective decision-making
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Conduct real-time benchmarking against international best practices
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Simulate future scenarios using predictive modeling
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Assess the potential impact of policies and legislation before implementation
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Connect proposals with relevant past policies, regulations, or research
