In a significant move to solidify its position as a global AI leader, the UAE has announced the launch of a new Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index. The initiative, unveiled by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, is designed to assess and enhance the AI capabilities of federal government entities.
The announcement was made during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025 in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the nation’s commitment to systematically integrating advanced technologies across the public sector. The index represents a strategic shift from merely tracking adoption to rigorously evaluating the effectiveness and preparedness of government bodies in the AI era.
From Adoption to Effectiveness
With an impressive 97% utilisation rate of AI tools already achieved across its government entities, the UAE is moving beyond initial implementation. The new AI Readiness Index will establish clear benchmarks to measure progress, inform national policy, and guide the country’s digital transformation roadmap. This proactive approach aims to ensure that the adoption of AI translates into tangible efficiency, innovation, and enhanced public services.
The 100x Productivity Vision
Minister Al Olama highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, suggesting it could multiply the productivity of every Emirati by one hundred times. This vision recasts national competitiveness, arguing that in the modern era, a nation’s strength is determined by its intelligence and speed rather than its size and age. The index is a critical tool to help realize this ambitious goal by ensuring all federal organizations are equipped to leverage AI effectively.
Broader National AI Strategy
The AI Readiness Index is part of a wider series of strategic announcements. The government also launched ‘AI in the Ring’, a pioneering test to assess how leading AI models like ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini align with the UAE’s local culture and values. This initiative complements the nation’s remarkable achievement of 58% AI adoption among its population—the highest globally—and surpassing its target of 300,000 coders to reach 450,000.
About the UAE Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index
The UAE Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index is a national framework designed to evaluate the preparedness of federal government entities to lead and excel in the age of AI. It assesses an organization’s capabilities to adopt and implement artificial intelligence technologies effectively across its operations, creating a standardized benchmark for progress and identifying areas for strategic improvement.
Source: middleeastainews
