Exclusive Interview with Dubai's Digital Government Chief
When Dubai unveiled its State of AI Report in April 2025, highlighting over 100 impactful AI use cases, the emirate demonstrated more than just technological advancement—it emphasized that speed, rather than spending, is key to leading the global AI governance race.
Dubai’s Unique AI Governance Strategy
Matar Al Hemeiri, Chief Executive of Digital Dubai Government Establishment, shared insights on how Dubai’s approach sets it apart from regional rivals and major Asian tech hubs. The city focuses on rapid AI deployment combined with strict ethical standards.
“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.”
Comparison with Abu Dhabi's AI Investment
- Abu Dhabi plans a $4.8 billion investment to become the first fully AI-powered government by 2027.
- Dubai opts for speed in scaling AI while ensuring ethics and seamless system integration.
Visible Outcomes of Dubai’s Approach
DubaiAI, the citywide AI-powered virtual assistant, now handles inquiries for over 180 public services, representing one of the most extensive government AI chatbot deployments worldwide.
Author's Summary
Dubai prioritizes speed and ethical AI integration in governance, presenting a scalable model that outpaces heavy spending to deliver efficient public service through advanced AI.