UAE targets a new generation of AI-enabled government operations as Chief AI Officers explore global models for moving from experimentation to nationwide implementation.
The UAE is positioning agentic artificial intelligence as the next major phase of its government transformation agenda, moving beyond individual generative AI applications towards AI-powered operating models across government services, sectors and operations.
The strategy was highlighted by H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, during a UAE government delegation visit to the United States, where more than 50 Chief AI Officers attended Dreamforce 2026, Salesforce’s flagship technology conference.
During a fireside conversation with Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff, Al Olama outlined the UAE’s experience in embedding AI into the government operating ecosystem and turning emerging technologies into capabilities that can be implemented at national scale.
“The UAE’s participation in Dreamforce reflects its vision of transforming the opportunities created by advanced technology into national capabilities and integrated operating systems that deliver tangible benefits to society,” Al Olama said. “Agentic AI, in particular, is enabling a new phase in the journey of government development by offering extensive opportunities to redesign processes and services, enhance efficiency and productivity, and accelerate the transition to comprehensive, real-world implementation.”
“The UAE’s participation in Dreamforce reflects its vision of transforming the opportunities created by advanced technology into national capabilities and integrated operating systems that deliver tangible benefits to society.” — H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, UAE
The UAE’s approach reflects a significant evolution in its AI strategy. Having identified artificial intelligence as a national priority in 2017, the country has moved from building AI awareness and deploying generative AI applications towards exploring systems capable of performing tasks and supporting end-to-end government processes.
A central ambition discussed during the session is the UAE’s target of transitioning 50% of government services, sectors and operations to agentic AI-powered operating models within two years. Achieving that objective would require more than deploying AI tools. It would involve redesigning processes, developing new capabilities and establishing the governance and leadership structures needed to operate AI at scale.
Marc Benioff said Salesforce was pleased to welcome Al Olama to Dreamforce and highlighted the UAE’s early focus on AI as a national priority.
“The UAE recognized AI as a national priority over a decade ago, driving both national ambition and societal progress,” Benioff said. “Through our longstanding partnership, Salesforce remains deeply committed to advancing the UAE’s AI vision across government, business, and society.”
The delegation’s visit also provided UAE Chief AI Officers with exposure to developments from global technology leaders. Delegates explored Salesforce’s latest AI technologies and attended sessions featuring Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang.
For the UAE, the international engagement is aimed at accelerating knowledge transfer and identifying models that can support the next stage of government transformation. The Chief AI Officers are leading a nationwide effort that brings federal and local government entities together around AI adoption and implementation.
The emphasis on agentic AI also introduces a different set of requirements from earlier AI initiatives. As AI systems become more closely integrated into government processes, organisations will need to consider not only technology deployment but also leadership, skills, operating models and trusted ecosystems.
The UAE’s Dreamforce engagement therefore signals a broader ambition: to move AI from individual applications into the operating fabric of government. Its next challenge will be translating that national ambition into scalable, trusted and measurable implementations that improve how public services are designed and delivered.
