Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has positioned itself at the forefront of global artificial intelligence (AI) innovation through substantial investments, strategic partnerships, and ambitious infrastructure projects. By leveraging its economic resources and forward-thinking policies, the emirate is not only integrating AI into government operations but also fostering a vibrant ecosystem for research, development, and commercial applications. This leadership is evident in initiatives that span from sovereign AI capabilities to international collaborations, driving economic diversification and technological sovereignty.
A cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s AI strategy is the Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027, which allocates over AED10 billion to transform the emirate into the world’s first fully AI-native government.
This plan emphasizes building a robust digital infrastructure, achieving complete adoption of sovereign cloud computing, and automating all government processes. Central to this is the deployment of over 200 innovative AI solutions across public services via the AI for All program, which focuses on training citizens and enhancing efficiency. Partnerships with institutions like MBZUAI, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and G42 underscore the collaborative approach. The strategy is projected to add more than AED20 billion to GDP by 2027 and create over 5,000 jobs, emphasizing Emiratization and sustainable growth.
In terms of infrastructure, Abu Dhabi is investing heavily in mega-scale projects to support AI’s computational demands. The Stargate project, a 1-gigawatt AI supercomputing cluster developed in partnership with OpenAI, stands out as a key initiative to host large-scale models and establish sovereign AI capacity.
Viewed as essential national infrastructure, it aligns with broader goals of economic diversification and geopolitical influence, allowing the UAE to adapt AI technologies to local cultural and contextual needs. This initiative positions Abu Dhabi as a model for other nations, particularly in the Global South, by prioritizing long-term AI planning and governance.
Beyond core projects, Abu Dhabi hosts events like the Global AI Show (December 2025) and supports community-driven efforts, such as AI hackathons at 42 Abu Dhabi and funding for NGOs under the AI for Good initiative to address social challenges like refugee health and agriculture.
Through these multifaceted efforts, Abu Dhabi is not merely adopting AI but shaping its global trajectory. By prioritizing ethical, inclusive, and sovereign development, the emirate is setting benchmarks for how cities can harness AI to drive prosperity, innovation, and resilience in an increasingly digital world.
