The latest
Abu Dhabi has expanded the use of artificial intelligence across everyday government services, from renewing national IDs, health insurance and vehicle registrations to reporting faults, booking medical appointments and paying fines.
The transformation is centered on TAMM, an app that allows users to complete government services through a single platform. Its AutoGov feature can process transactions and make required payments automatically.
The initiative is part of the UAE’s long-term bet on AI as a driver of its post-oil economy, despite pressures from the war with Iran and concerns about the impact of regional tensions on investment and travel.
Details
- Smart reporting: TAMM’s Snap & Report feature allows users to photograph a problem such as a broken streetlight, after which AI analyzes the image and routes the request to the responsible authority.
- User authority: The government entity cannot close the report until the person who submitted it confirms that the problem has been resolved.
- Proactive services: The app identifies renewal dates for documents, insurance and registrations and can complete procedures and payments automatically.
- Food assessment: Users can photograph a meal and receive a health rating from the app.
- Early start: The UAE appointed a minister for artificial intelligence in 2017, in a move described as the first of its kind worldwide.
- Specialized education: The country opened Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019 as the world’s first graduate-level university dedicated entirely to AI.
- Business attraction: Abu Dhabi is using its ability to test government technology quickly to attract entrepreneurs and companies developing AI solutions.
- International partnerships: The UAE says it is prepared to work with both the United States and China to expand its technological capabilities.
- Advanced chips: President Donald Trump’s administration expanded the UAE’s access to U.S. AI chips after years of efforts to secure advanced technology.
- Economic impact: Estimates suggest AI could account for 11% of the UAE’s GDP by 2030 and add $320 billion to the Middle East economy.
Between the lines
The UAE benefits from centralized decision-making and coordination across institutions, allowing it to deploy AI projects quickly and at scale. That gives the country an advantage in turning experimental technology into services used by residents every day.
What to watch
The UAE’s national AI strategy aims to establish the country as a global destination for the sector by 2031 and attract leading talent to develop and test new solutions, while the impact of regional tensions on investment and tourism remains a key risk.
