Abu Dhabi to Become World’s First AI-Native Government with Microsoft, G42 Partnership
Abu Dhabi is embarking on a bold initiative to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. The Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE) has announced a significant agreement with Microsoft and Core42, a G42 company, to implement a sovereign cloud system. This collaboration aims to unlock greater efficiencies and innovations in government service delivery.
The announcement was made in the presence of key figures including H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and member of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council. The agreement was finalized by Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42.
The partnership seeks to create a unified high-performance sovereign cloud environment capable of handling over 11 million daily digital interactions between government entities, citizens, residents, and businesses. This is a pivotal move in Abu Dhabi’s broader digital transformation strategy.
Technology has the power to transform how governments interact with people, making services more efficient, intuitive, and impactful. This partnership is a critical milestone in our digital transformation. By combining Microsoft’s cloud technologies, G42’s AI expertise, and the Government’s strategic vision, we are helping to enable a powerful platform that will redefine government services.
— Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi
This strategic alignment is underpinned by a strong commitment to several goals. These include enhancing government services to be more efficient and accessible to citizens and residents, creating greater transparency and security for businesses and investors, and fostering a more resilient and innovative environment for the public sector workforce. The initiative is supported by a substantial AED13 billion (US$3.54 billion) investment in digital infrastructure outlined in the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
The strategy includes plans to deploy more than 200 AI-driven solutions, aiming to boost public service delivery, increase operational productivity, and advance environmental sustainability. One example of innovations stemming from this strategy is TAMM 3.0, Abu Dhabi’s one-stop government services app. The app has already made significant strides, reducing offline customer visits by 90% and making over 73% of transactions instantaneous.
AI will transform how governments operate and serve their citizens everywhere, and Abu Dhabi is leading the way. Through our partnership with the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and G42, we are setting a standard for AI adoption in the public sector, as we help Abu Dhabi become the world’s first AI-native government.
— Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft
Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, built on Azure and enhanced by the sovereign controls platform Insight, is a key component of this transformation. It allows government entities to maintain data sovereignty while benefiting from hyperscale innovation.
This agreement marks a pivotal step in G42’s commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming the world’s first fully AI-native government. Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, powered by Azure and enhanced by our sovereign controls platform, Insight, enables government entities to maintain data sovereignty while harnessing hyperscale innovation. This initiative goes beyond a technological leap; it is a commitment to building a resilient, future-ready digital infrastructure for AI modernisation across Abu Dhabi government entities and sets a global benchmark for innovation.
— Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42
This collaboration underscores the power of strategic digital transformation to enhance government operations and responsiveness. By leveraging AI and sovereign cloud technologies, Abu Dhabi seeks to establish a model for responsible AI adoption, driving innovation and ensuring citizen-focused services aligned with global standards.
