Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index is the focus of the UAE’s new initiative to measure how prepared its government entities are for the AI era. This index was announced by Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, at the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025 held in Abu Dhabi.
UAE Launches AI Readiness Index
The new Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index will assess how well federal organizations adopt and apply AI technology. It moves beyond just measuring the use of AI tools to checking how effective and prepared each entity is. The UAE has already reached a 97 percent utilization rate of AI across its government bodies, showing clear leadership and advanced use of AI in government work.
Boosting Productivity with AI
This index helps the UAE track its progress in AI integration and supports the country’s goal of digital transformation. The government sees AI as a way to increase productivity dramatically. According to the minister, AI can boost the productivity of every Emirati by a factor of one hundred, making the nation as productive as 100 million people. This reflects a shift in competition where intelligence and speed matter more than size or age.
Collaboration and Cultural Values
During the launch, AI leaders from many federal entities gathered to share their experiences and strategies. The UAE also announced ‘AI in the Ring,’ the first test to measure how AI models respect local cultural values. This test uses specific prompts related to UAE history and culture to evaluate popular AI platforms, including ChatGPT.
High AI Adoption Rate
Additionally, the UAE has achieved a 58 percent AI adoption rate among its population the highest in the world. The number of coders in the country has also exceeded expectations, reaching 450,000 against a target of 300,000.
UAE’s Leadership in AI
Overall, the Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index is a key step for the UAE to maintain its position as a global AI leader. It helps ensure AI is used responsibly to empower people and improve government services while driving innovation and efficiency.
This new index is part of the UAE’s smart government vision, helping the country stay competitive in the fast-changing world of technology. The focus on effective AI use and cultural alignment sets an example that other governments may follow.
The UAE’s leadership in digital transformation and AI readiness underlines its commitment to shaping a future where artificial intelligence enhances growth and public service quality. The readiness index strengthens this commitment, highlighting the country’s success in embracing the AI revolution.
