Sheikh Mohammed announces AI system to become advisory UAE Cabinet member from 2026
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday announced a host of changes taking place within the UAE government.
He said the National Artificial Intelligence System will be an advisory member of the UAE Cabinet, starting in January 2026.
He also announced the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, with Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi as its minister, and a name-change from the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, headed by Abdulla bin Touq.
'We also announce that the National Artificial Intelligence System will be adopted as an advisory member of the Cabinet, the Ministerial Development Council, and all boards of directors of federal entities and government companies, starting in January 2026,' Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.
'The goal is to support decision-making in these councils, conduct immediate analyses of their decisions, provide technical advice, and enhance the efficiency of government policies adopted by these councils across all sectors.'
'The world is going through comprehensive restructuring, scientifically, economically and socially and our goal is being ready today for the coming decades and ensuring continuing prosperity and a decent life for the following generations,' he added.
Building on a legacy of innovation
AI has been at the heart of UAE policy for some time. In October 2017, the Emirates appointed the world's first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Al Olama. His title is now Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
Subsequently, in early 2019, the UAE adopted an ambitious plan called the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 – to become one of the leading nations in AI by 2031.
In the same year, the country established the world's first graduate-level, research-based university that was dedicated to AI, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. And in January, Abu Dhabi launched its Digital Strategy 2025-2027, which aims to transform the emirate into the world's first fully artificial intelligence-powered government by 2027.
At the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said that over the next 25 years, artificial intelligence would move civilisation ahead faster than at any stage in history.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
18 minutes ago
- UAE Moments
Fresh Airline Updates on UAE Flights Amid Conflict
As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate, UAE-based airlines have issued fresh updates on suspended or rescheduled flights. Several carriers, including Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai, are adjusting their schedules in response to regional airspace closures and safety concerns. Air Arabia Suspends More Routes Sharjah-based Air Arabia announced on Thursday that flights to and from Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan will remain suspended until Monday, June 30. The airline also stated that services to and from Jordan are on hold until Friday, June 20. Air Arabia, which also operates out of Abu Dhabi, added that passengers transiting through Sharjah or Abu Dhabi with final destinations in any of the affected countries will not be accepted for travel from their point of origin until further notice. Etihad Reschedules Beirut Flights Etihad Airways confirmed updated schedules for its Beirut flights on June 21: EY581: Departs Abu Dhabi at 10 AM, arrives in Beirut at 1:10 PM EY582: Departs Beirut at 2:05 PM, arrives in Abu Dhabi at 7 PM EY583: Departs Abu Dhabi at 2 PM, arrives in Beirut at 5:05 PM EY584: Departs Beirut at 6 PM, arrives in Abu Dhabi at 10:55 PM Emirates Extends Suspensions Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates has extended the suspension of flights to Jordan (Amman) and Lebanon (Beirut) until Sunday, June 22, 2025. In addition, all Emirates flights to Iran (Tehran) and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra) will remain grounded until Monday, June 30, 2025. flydubai Suspends Several Destinations
The National
18 minutes ago
- The National
US rate cuts could come as soon as July, Fed official says
A senior official at the Federal Reserve has suggested that the US central bank should consider cutting interest rates as soon as next month. 'We could do this as early as July,' Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on CNBC. 'That would be my view, whether the committee would go along with it or not.' As a governor on the Federal Reserve Board, Mr Waller holds a permanent vote on the central bank's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee. Mr Waller and other Fed officials unanimously voted to hold interest rates steady between 4.25 and 4.50 per cent on Wednesday. The Central Bank of the UAE, which follows Fed decisions because of the dollar peg, also held rates steady following the US central bank's decision. Fed officials this week also maintained their forecast for two quarter-point cuts this year before slowing the pace of cuts in 2026. Several officials projected zero rate cuts, pointing to some uncertainty on the future policy path. The central bank has not adjusted interest rates in its last four meetings, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. But Mr Waller said the Fed can 'look through' their inflation impact, arguing tariffs would create a one-time inflation bump rather than persistent high prices. Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday said tariffs could either have a one-off or persistent effect on inflation. Asked by reporters why not cut interest rates this month, Mr Powell said he expected to see 'meaningful' inflation in the coming months. Data shows that the Fed's preferred inflation metric has decelerated for three consecutive months. The PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) Price Index rose 2.1 per cent annually last month, one-tenth of a percentage point above the Fed's long-term target. 'The data the last few months has been showing that trend inflation is looking pretty good,' Mr Waller said. He suggested that, if the Fed were to begin cutting rates in July, it should begin slowly. 'But start the process,' Mr Waller suggested. 'That's the key thing. And then if there's some big shock due to maybe the Middle East conflict, we can pause.' Mr Waller added that he is also concerned about the jobs market. While the unemployment rate has remained stable at around 4.2 per cent, Mr Waller said he was concerned about fewer jobs being created. The four-week average of jobless claims is at its highest level since August 2023, according to data from the Labour Department. 'Why do we want to wait until we actually see it crash before we start cutting rates?' he added. 'So I'm all in favour of saying maybe we should start thinking about cutting the policy rate at the next meeting, because we don't want to wait till the job market tanks before we start cutting the policy rate.' The Fed holds its next two-day meeting from July 29 to 30.
UAE Moments
18 minutes ago
- UAE Moments
Sheikh Mohammed Announces an AI System as UAE Cabinet Member
The Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, announced that an AI system will serve as an advisory member of the UAE Cabinet. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said on Friday, June 20, that the National Artificial Intelligence System will join the UAE Cabinet as an advisory member from January 2026. The Ruler of Dubai wrote on X, "We also announce that the National Artificial Intelligence System will be adopted as an advisory member of the Cabinet, the Ministerial Development Council, and all boards of directors of federal entities and government companies, starting in January 2026." He added, "The goal is to support decision-making in these councils, conduct immediate analyses of their decisions, provide technical advice, and enhance the efficiency of government policies adopted by these councils across all sectors."
