Dubai's Digital Government Chief: Speed Outpaces Spending in AI Race
In an exclusive interview, Matar Al Hemeiri, Chief Executive of Digital Dubai Government Establishment, outlined how Dubai’s government focuses on rapid AI integration to improve efficiency, prioritizing speed over spending.
Rethinking AI Governance
When Dubai launched its State of AI Report in April 2025, it presented more than 100 high-impact AI use cases. This initiative illustrated that Dubai’s strategy in the AI efficiency race depends not on heavy budgets but on swift, scalable implementation.
Ethics and Scalability Over Infrastructure Spending
“Abu Dhabi’s investment is focused on building an end-to-end AI-powered government infrastructure,” Al Hemeiri explained. “Dubai’s model is to embed AI ethics, interoperability, and explainability into a scalable governance framework.”
While Abu Dhabi dedicated $4.8 billion to become the world’s first fully AI-driven government by 2027, Dubai opted for a more adaptive model emphasizing ethical standards and flexible systems designed for rapid rollout.
Tangible Results
DubaiAI, the city’s virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence, now gives access to more than 180 public services—one of the world’s most comprehensive government chatbot ecosystems. The system has become a clear example of how Dubai translates its AI vision into measurable, user-centered results.
Summary
Dubai’s AI governance strategy prioritizes fast, ethical deployment over massive funding, aiming to set a global example for agile, responsible digital transformation.