The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to develop global principles for using agentic artificial intelligence (AI) in strategic planning and decision-making, as governments and institutions explore how increasingly autonomous systems could reshape their operations.
The dialogue to develop the Global Principles for Strategy in the Agentic AI Era opened on 13 October 2026 during the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders in Dubai. The initiative aims to establish an international framework to guide governments and institutions in integrating agentic AI into strategic planning, foresight and decision-making.
Unlike conventional AI tools that primarily respond to user instructions, agentic AI systems can reason, coordinate and act with greater autonomy. The proposed principles will focus on how these capabilities can be applied effectively and responsibly to support strategic work.
The initiative forms part of the Global Strategic Intelligence Programme, a longstanding partnership between the UAE and WEF aimed at strengthening government capabilities in strategic intelligence, foresight and decision-making.
Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, said the initiative reflects the UAE's ambition to shape the future of strategic government work by bringing together international experts, decision-makers and thought leaders to establish principles that keep pace with advances in AI.
She said the framework aims to strengthen governments' ability to anticipate change and develop more agile, proactive strategies, while providing an international reference for using AI in planning, foresight and decision-making.
Al Hashimi added that the principles would support more integrated and adaptable government systems, with an emphasis on evidence-based decisions and translating knowledge and insights into tangible outcomes for individuals and communities.
Stephan Mergenthaler, managing director and chief technology officer of the WEF, said agentic AI was transforming how governments anticipate change, evaluate possibilities and make strategic decisions.
“The Global Principles for Strategy in the Agentic AI Era represent a critical opportunity to establish a shared global framework that ensures these powerful capabilities are developed and deployed responsibly,” Mergenthaler said.
He added that a shared set of principles could help institutions navigate complexity, improve their ability to respond to change and make decisions with greater confidence.
Beyond technology adoption, the initiative seeks to establish a common international reference point for governments and institutions to build strategies that are more resilient to future disruptions and translate data and knowledge into practical outcomes.
The dialogue will bring together international experts and decision-makers to examine how agentic AI could reshape strategic work and define the principles needed to guide its responsible and effective use.