Dubai Digital Government chief says AI speed is more important than spending

In a landmark move for digital governance, Dubai is pivoting its strategy toward rapid deployment rather than sheer capital investment. As reported in the original article, "Exclusive: Dubai’s Digital Government chief says speed trumps spending in AI efficiency race", the emirate is prioritizing the velocity of AI integration to maintain its global lead.

The DubaiAI Advantage

While other regions focus on multi-billion dollar infrastructures, Dubai has successfully launched DubaiAI, a virtual assistant covering over 180 public services. This implementation has already:

• Automated 60% of routine inquiries.
• Reduced operational costs by 35%.
• Achieved an adoption rate of 96% across government entities.

Speed as a Strategic Asset

Matar Al Hemeiri, CEO of Digital Dubai Government Establishment, emphasizes that moving from pilot to full deployment within months is the city's decisive edge. This approach integrates binding ethical frameworks directly into the procurement process, ensuring that speed does not compromise safety or public trust.

Beyond simple chatbots, Dubai is applying AI to:

• Healthcare: Early detection of chronic conditions like diabetes.
• Energy: AI-powered smart grids for optimized consumption.
• Predictive Services: Anticipating citizen needs, from license renewals to healthcare alerts.

Economic Vision for 2030

This aggressive technological push is a core component of the D33 Economic Agenda. Projections suggest that AI will contribute over AED 235 billion to Dubai's economy by 2030, accounting for nearly 20% of the city's targeted growth.

By establishing a hybrid data model and inviting global startups into real-world sandboxes, Dubai aims to create a universal blueprint for AI-powered governance that is seamless, anticipatory, and inclusive.