The UAE ranked first globally in artificial intelligence adoption in the first quarter of 2026, with 70.1% of its working-age population using AI, according to Microsoft's Global AI Diffusion Report, as the country expands AI integration across government services, education, healthcare and transport.
The report identified the UAE as the first economy to cross the 70% adoption threshold, while adoption remained below 10% in large parts of the world.
The figures come as the UAE accelerates efforts to embed AI into public services and institutional operations, backed by investments in digital infrastructure, workforce skills and governance frameworks.
At the federal level, the UAE launched the Agentic AI Project, which aims to transform 50% of federal government sectors, services and operations into autonomous, AI-driven models within two years. The National Committee for Agentic AI has also approved an operating framework and an introductory guide to standardise implementation and governance.
The country also announced the establishment of the Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data, an initiative intended to integrate national data, AI and digital government systems and strengthen federal capabilities for AI-led transformation.
Abu Dhabi targets AI-native government
At the emirate level, Abu Dhabi is working towards establishing an AI-native government by 2027. The Abu Dhabi Government launched the AINative training programme in collaboration with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), OpenAI and Microsoft.
The programme aims to equip 20,000 government employees with AI skills by the end of 2026, with plans to extend training to the wider community at a later stage.
Dubai Future Foundation launched the Agentic AI for Government Services Accelerator, while Sharjah introduced its Sharjah Agentic AI Programme to accelerate AI adoption across government operations. Ajman has also adopted an AI programme and introduced a conceptual reference framework to guide the integration of AI into government activities.
These initiatives reflect a broader push to establish common implementation standards, strengthen institutional capabilities and incorporate governance safeguards as AI use expands.
AI skills programmes target teachers and employees
Education has emerged as a key area of AI integration, with the Ministry of Education launching the National AI Upskilling Programme for Teachers.
Abu Dhabi has expanded AI education initiatives in private schools, while Dubai is advancing training programmes to prepare educators for the changing requirements of teaching in the AI era.
The University of Sharjah has introduced an initiative to integrate AI technologies into academic programmes and curricula. Ajman has also incorporated digital and AI skills into its education-related capacity-building efforts.
More than 24,000 teachers, school leaders and specialists participated in professional development activities during the specialised training week for the 2026–2027 academic year, alongside dedicated AI training programmes for education professionals.
Skills development efforts also extend to students and graduates through initiatives such as Digital Talents in Sharjah and other federal and local programmes.
Beyond education, federal workforce development programmes are focusing on AI, data science and cybersecurity. Sharjah's Digital Talents initiative aims to build digital capabilities and align practical training with labour market requirements, while Dubai and Ajman continue to develop skills for future jobs and AI-enabled government operations.
Healthcare and transport expand AI applications
The UAE is also expanding AI applications in healthcare, including medical imaging, diagnostics and the prediction of potential complications. Developments in genomics, precision medicine and digital health are forming part of the country's wider efforts to incorporate advanced technologies into medical services.
At the Abu Dhabi Summit 2026, discussions highlighted applications such as AI-designed medicines, Arabic-first clinical systems and digital healthcare, alongside the development of legislation, standards and ethical frameworks for AI use.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi announced what it described as the world's first AI-powered smart surgical network, connecting operating theatres through a unified digital infrastructure.
Emirates Health Services has also incorporated AI into its project, The Future of Medical Imaging: From Detection to Prediction. Meanwhile, Dubai and Sharjah are expanding the use of data and AI across healthcare services, with Ajman supporting digital transformation across federal and local healthcare systems.
In transport, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority continues to integrate AI into road and transport systems, while Abu Dhabi is expanding the use of smart technologies in traffic management and transport planning. Sharjah is pursuing AI applications to improve transport safety and efficiency.
Ajman has also launched the Future of Transport Hackathon 2026, which produced projects including an agentic AI-powered transport system and a smart decision-support platform.
Governance and infrastructure underpin adoption
Alongside sector-specific deployments, government entities across the UAE are strengthening AI governance, cybersecurity and digital readiness through regulatory frameworks, implementation guidelines and employee training.
The initiatives are intended to standardise AI integration, build institutional capabilities and support the responsible use of emerging technologies across government operations and public services.
The Microsoft report's adoption figures place the UAE at the forefront of global AI usage. The country's next phase of implementation will involve extending AI capabilities across institutions and the workforce while developing the governance and skills needed to support wider deployment.