Sheikh Mohammed Announces AI Will Join UAE Cabinet as Advisory Member in 2026

UAE to Welcome Artificial Intelligence as Government Advisor by 2026

In a landmark announcement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, revealed that the National Artificial Intelligence System will officially become an advisory member of the UAE Cabinet beginning January 2026.

The move marks a global first and signals the next step in the UAE’s bold strategy to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven governance. Sheikh Mohammed shared the update via X (formerly Twitter), alongside a sweeping update on federal government changes.

AI to Shape Cabinet Decisions and Policy Development

“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,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The purpose, he explained, is to support decision-making processes by offering real-time analysis, technical advisory, and policy efficiency insights across all sectors. The system will work alongside ministers and boards, offering data-informed guidance on a national level.

“We aim to prepare today for the next decades—scientifically, economically and socially—to ensure continued prosperity and a dignified life for future generations,” he added.

Other Key Government Updates

The government reshuffle also includes the creation of a new Ministry of Foreign Trade, to be led by Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, and a rebrand of the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, now headed by Abdulla bin Touq. These changes reflect the UAE’s commitment to adapting its structures to match global economic and technological shifts.

Building on a Legacy of AI Innovation

AI has been deeply embedded in the UAE’s national agenda for years. In 2017, the country appointed the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Al Olama, who now serves as Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.

This was followed by the launch of the UAE National AI Strategy 2031, an ambitious roadmap to become a global AI leader by 2031. In 2019, the UAE made global headlines again by founding the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level AI research institution.

In early 2024, Abu Dhabi unveiled its Digital Strategy 2025–2027, with a bold vision to become the world’s first fully AI-powered government by 2027.

A Glimpse Into the Future of Governance

During the World Governments Summit in February, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, emphasized AI's transformative power. “Over the next 25 years, artificial intelligence will advance civilization more rapidly than at any previous point in history,” he said.

With AI soon to sit at the table in Cabinet meetings, the UAE is taking a decisive step toward AI-integrated governance, blending technology, human insight, and policy to build a future-ready state.