Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, on Wednesday set out the emirate's ambitious vision to harness advanced technology to “be the fastest, the best, and the most responsive to people’s needs”.
Sheikh Hamdan underlined Dubai's efforts to boost efficiency and raise standards as he directed all government departments in the city to integrate services into a unified digital platform within one year.
The move is part of a broader push to embrace digital transformation in order to increase Dubai's gross domestic product by up to Dh10 billion and cement its status as one of the most AI-ready cities in the world.
Sheikh Hamdan's remarks came during a visit to Digital Dubai, the authority tasked with spearheading the emirate's high-tech journey alongside its two affiliated bodies, the Digital Dubai Government Establishment and the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment.
“Our goal is to make life easier, simplify procedures and reduce the number of platforms, delivering more efficient and seamless services that strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness as a global hub for business and investment,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
“Dubai today is a vibrant digital city, where all government entities work as one team through integrated systems and unified data to serve people and enhance quality of life, reinforcing its position as a global model for digital cities and a preferred place to live.
“Dubai’s journey of development never stops, regardless of the challenges or changing circumstances. Continuous improvement is our approach, excellence is our benchmark, and the future is our destination.
“What we ask for today is what we have always upheld: to be the fastest, the best, and the most responsive to people’s needs.”
Mapping the future
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed projects developed by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment that serve to establish a comprehensive AI-driven government model in which performance becomes fully data-based.
Dubai's digital-first strategy aims to enable at least 80 per cent of government policies and strategies to be guided by AI-supported data.
Sheikh Hamdan has been at the heart of Dubai's efforts to usher in a new era of agile government, powered by rapidly-evolving technology such as artificial intelligence.
In June 2023, he launched Dubai’s Digital Strategy, based on “a vision to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai and establish a reliable, robust digital system that enhances the digital economy and empowers a digitally driven society”, Dubai Media Office said at the time.
The strategy was centred on seven pillars: digital city, digital economy, data and statistics, digital talent, digital infrastructure, cyber security and digital competitiveness.
In August 2025, Sheikh Hamdan directed the introduction of artificial intelligence seals to make it easier for businesses, organisations within the government and other stakeholders to evaluate companies promoting AI services.
“We are dedicated to establishing an enabling environment for the advancement of the AI industry in Dubai,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
He said he hoped the AI seals would “drive economic growth, benefit the society, and shape the future we envision for Dubai and the world”.
