A new research paper by global business school INSEAD and international technology group Yango argues that the UAE has successfully established a global model for artificial intelligence by treating it as public infrastructure rather than a collection of separate projects. The report, titled “AI as Public Infrastructure: Lessons from the UAE for Government Transformation,” suggests the nation’s strategy offers a clear blueprint for policymakers worldwide looking to move beyond small-scale pilots to durable, institutional capabilities.
Quick Facts
- UAE treats AI as core institutional infrastructure.
- Success is driven by leadership and process redesign.
- Abu Dhabi and Dubai use distinct execution models.
Beyond the Pilot Phase: An Institutional Approach
While many governments launch AI pilots, few manage to integrate the technology as a lasting institutional capability. The INSEAD and Yango research identifies that most failures stem from data fragmentation, talent gaps, and outdated governance frameworks. The UAE, in contrast, has succeeded by focusing on institutional design rather than purely technological advantage.
The report attributes the nation’s progress to three key choices:
- Concentrated and continuous leadership commitment: AI is a top-down priority embedded across government.
- Domain-level redesign of public-sector processes: The UAE has been willing to fundamentally alter how it governs to accommodate AI.
- Strategic procurement and partnerships: These are used as critical levers for growth, not just administrative tasks.
This approach has allowed the UAE to build sustainable AI systems while other nations remain stuck in the experimental phase.
Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai: Complementary Execution Models
Within the UAE’s federal strategy, the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have developed two distinct but complementary models for implementation.
Abu Dhabi is pursuing an infrastructure-led approach, treating AI as a foundational utility backed by an AED 13 billion ($3.54 billion) commitment. This is best seen in the TAMM platform, an AI-enabled system hosting over a thousand government services. TAMM acts as shared public infrastructure, with modular components reused across government-to-government and government-to-business channels, avoiding the creation of isolated departmental tools.
Dubai, on the other hand, emphasizes execution speed and tangible service impact. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence recently managed a process where 33 government bodies proposed 183 potential AI applications. These were rigorously filtered based on technical feasibility, strategic importance, and citizen impact, ultimately narrowing the focus to 15 high-priority deployments in mobility, healthcare, and urban infrastructure.
Overcoming Global Barriers to AI Adoption
The paper outlines five structural barriers that commonly stall government AI deployment globally, highlighting areas where the UAE’s model offers solutions. These persistent challenges include:
- Fragmented and poorly governed data environments.
- Weak coordination between different government entities.
- A shortage of professionals who can bridge the gap between policy and technology.
- Rigid procurement systems that are unsuited for iterative AI development.
- Limited capacity to evaluate the impact, risks, and unintended outcomes of AI.
The report’s comparative analysis of the UK, Singapore, the US, the EU, and China found that access to similar technology produces vastly different results, underscoring the importance of the institutional and governance frameworks pioneered by the UAE.
About the ‘AI as Public Infrastructure’ Report
“AI as Public Infrastructure: Lessons from the UAE for Government Transformation” is a major research paper published by INSEAD and Yango Group. It is based on in-depth interviews with senior government officials and private sector AI leaders across the UAE, using the nation as a primary case study to examine how governments can successfully scale artificial intelligence capabilities.
Source: Middle East AI News
